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THE 



PATEIOTS AND GUERILLAS 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 



SUTFERmCS OF THE PATRIOTS. 



ALSO THE EXPERIENCE OF THE AUTHOR AS AN OFFICER IN THE 
UNION ARMY. 



INCLUDIHa SKETCHES OF 



XOTED GUERILLAS A^^D DISTIXGUISHEDl PATRIOTS. 



BY 



♦ 



MAJOR J. A. BRENTS 




NEW YORK: 
J. A. BRENTS. 

HENKT DEXTEE, PUBLISHEES AGENT, 113 NASSAU STREET. 

1863. 

C/ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by 

JOHN F. TKOW, 

lulho Clerk's Ofl&ce of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
District of New Yoi'k. 



5"^ I 



JOHN F. TROW. 

PBrNTER, STEREOTTPER, AND EI-ECTHOTYPER, 

46, 48, & 50 Greene Street, 

New York. 



(. 



<fO 



PEEFACE. 



The public mind is at this time directed to the 
progress of the civil war which is desolating onr 
beautiful land. The people are anxious to know 
what has been done, and who did it. Especially 
have they sought with eagerness for information 
respecting the loyal East Tennesseeans. Public 
anxiety also has been manifested, ever since the 
commencement of the war, in regard to afiairs in 
Kentucky; and people generally are desirous to 
know the history of men who are charged Avith hav- 
ing committed black and bloody crimes. 

The writer is a Iventuckian, residing upon the 
Tennessee line, and served eleven months as an 
officer in the Union army. His position upon the 
border and in the army gave him an opportunity to 
obtain much valuable information in regard to the 
loyal East Tennesseeans, the state of aifairs in 
Kentucky, the progress of the war in the West, 
what has been done in Kentucky and Tennessee 



4: PREFACE. 

since the rebellion broke out, and the history of 
men whose hands have been stained with pillage 
and blood. He has collected this information in 
the form of a book, and now offers it to the public, 
with the hope that it will furnish the information 

desired. 

The Author. 

November^ 1862. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Preface, . . . . . .3 

Introductory, ...... Y 

CHAPTER I. 

Sufferings of Loyal East Tennesseeans, and Loyal Ken- 

tuckians on the tennessee line. . . .9 

W. G. Brownlow, . . . . .16 

Andrew Johnson, . . . . . .17 

J. D. Hale, . . . . . . 20 

Zaekarys, . . . , . , .25 

Huddlestons, ' . . . , . ,25 

Tinker Dave Beaty, . . . . .29 

CHAPTER II. 

Notorious Characters — The Fergusons— Atrocious Mur- 
ders, ETC. . . . . . .36 

Champ Ferguson, . . . . . 37^ 

James Ferguson, , . . . , .53 

Edward Ferguson, ..... 60 

Captain Shelby Coffey, . . . . .62 

Eaine H. Philpott, ..... 63 

Captain Hamilton, . . . . ,65 

CHAPTER III. 

Kentucky and the Eebellion. . , , .68 

Politics and the Elections in Kentucky, , , 69 

Loyalty of Kentuckians, . . • , ,73 

Camp Dick Robinson, . . » , . 75 



CONTENTS 



General William Nelson, . 
Colonel Thomas E. Bramlette, 
Colonel T. T. Garrard, 
Colonel Speed S. Fry, . 
Colonel Bird, 
Colonel Carter, . 
General Carter, 
Colonel Frank Wolford, 



PAGE 

. 75 

76 
. 11 

78 
. 78 

78 
. 79 

79 



CHAPTER IV 

The Writer's Experience in the Army, 
Recruiting Troops in Kentucky, 
Loyalty in the Mountains of Kentucky, 
Colonel Bramlette and J. C. Breckinridge, 
A Campaign to Albany and Tennessee, 
Camp Wildcat and Battle, 
Officers of 1st Kentucky Cavalry, . 
Campaign on Cumberland River, 
Battle of Mill Springs, 



90 

90 

94 

97 

101 

104 

108 

110 

115 



CHAPTER V. 



A Campaign in Tennessee. 


. 123 


An Expedition through Tennessee, 


123 


The Battle of Lebanon, Tenn., 


. 136 


Rev. W. H. Honnell, . 


157 


Lieutenant-Colonel John W. Letcher, 


. 160 


Major Francis M, Helveti, 


160 


Major William A. Coffey, . 


. 161 


Captain John A. Morrison, 


161 


Captain Frank N, Alexander, 


. 163 


Captain John Smith, . . . . 


163 


Colonel William A. Hoskins, 


. 164 


The People of the South, 


165 


Conclusion, . . . • . 


. 169 



IKTEODUCTOEY. 

Crime has existed in all ages and in all countries. In- 
dividuals, communities, and nations have alike tolerated 
its existence and suffered from its effects. But of all the 
crimes known to mankind, that of rebellion against a mild 
and beneficent government is the greatest. It is a vital 
stab at human liberty. It desolates the country by the 
ravages of civil war, bringing death to the door of almost 
every family. It imposes enormous burdens upon the 
people, exhausts the resources of the country, destroys 
commerce and trade, checks the advance of science, art, 
and civilization, and produces stagnation in all useful pur- 
suits. 

Such are some of the evils of rebellion ; such the 
crime committed against the Government of the United 
States, the best government ever founded by man. The 
citizens were happy and contented, enjoying liberty in a 
greater degree than any people upon the earth. The 
Government was respected abroad, having the strength to 
secure it from external danger. The leaders and plotters 
of the rebellion knew they could not organize a better 
government. They did not expect to secure to the people 
greater prosperity and happiness, or a greater enjoyment 
of the blessings of liberty. The crime is magnified when 
we consider that they desired and intended to secure the 
permanent slavery of a portion of the human race. Of 



8 INTRODUCTORY. 

their coadjutors, the fanatics of the North, -who are not 
entirely blameless in this matter, I will speak in another 
place. 

In the compilation of this work, the author has in- 
tended to give a narrative of his personal experience as an 
officer in the Union army, together with sketches of some 
of the patriots and guerillas of Tennessee and Kentucky. 
He believes these personal sketches sufficiently interesting 
and valuable to be given to the public. The narrative of 
the notorious guerilla, Champ Ferguson, ought to be 
read by every one. A thief, robber, counterfeiter, and 
murderer, he was eminently qualified for the position of 
guerilla chief. 

The author designs, in this book, to expose to public 
view some of the evils of the rebellion. He intends also 
to give sketches of a few of the unflinching and unselfish 
patriots of Kentucky and East Tennessee. The work is not 
" founded on fact," in popular parlance ; it contains nothhig 
hut factSy and the reader m^ay rely upon it as a truthful 
narrative. Let the public read and learn the sufi'erings of 
a loyal people, and how much they can endure for their 
country's sake. I have suffered with them, and can ap- 
preciate their trials. I also am a refugee from my home ; 
my family are among strangers, and my property has been 
destroj^ed. 

That this rebellion may be crushed, and peace restored 
to our once happy land, is my earnest desire. 



PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 



CHAPTER I 



SUFFERINGS OF LOYAL EAST TENNESSEEANS, AND LOYAL 
KENTUCKIANS ON THE TENNESSEE LINE. 

As soon as the ordinance of secession was forced 
upon the people of Tennessee, an army was sent 
into East Tennessee to look after the loyal citizens 
(traitors, as the seceders called them). They were 
imprisoned, their property taken, and their fam- 
ilies insulted and abused : many were shot and 
hung. As soon as this programme was adopted, 
large numbers fled to Kentucky for safety, and con- 
tinued to flee as they could find opportunities for 
escape. The writer resided in Clinton county, 
Kentucky, on the Tennessee line, and many of 
these refugees passed through this county en route 
for Camp Dick Robinson. Here they stopped for a 
while, and were protected and fed by the citizens 
of this loyal little county. They were not permit- 
1* 



10 THE FATKIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 

ted to remain here long, but were pursued, and, 
togetlier with others w4io were driven from their 
homes, fled across Cumberland river. Many of 
these refugees arrived in Clinton county before the 
writer left his home. He departed the first of 
August for Camp Dick Eobinson, and witnessed the 
arrival of the East Tennesseeans at this camp ; and 
it would have excited the pity of the hardest heart 
to have witnessed the scene. They had bidden 
farewell to wives and children, fathers and moth- 
ers, brothers and sisters, and their little homes, and 
with broken hearts taken their squirrel rifles upon 
their shoulders, and started across the mountains 
for the Union camp in Kentucky, where they would 
be beyond the reach of their persecutors, and could 
prepare to strike a blow for the Union and freedom, 
and finally return to their dear, beloved Tennessee, 
bearing aloft the stars and stripes, which had for 
so many years aflorded ample protection to every 
American citizen. Oh, what a bitter cup to them ! 
With wdiat sorrow did they leave their kindred 
and homes ! They drank of the cup. They sufi'ered 
and endured all ; yea, many suffered death, rather 
than become traitors to that Government which had 
afforded them and all other citizens such ample 
protection. They travelled day and night, some- 
times concealing themselves during the day, and 
were frequently compelled to travel several days 
without food. They sometimes journeyed alone, 
sometimes in squads, and again two or three hun- 
dred would be together. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 11 

What a spectacle, to be at Camp Dick Robinson 
and witness the arrival of these refugees ! Some- 
times as many as three hundred would arrive to- 
gether, perhaps more. Many of them had squirrel 
rifles and shot guns ; many others were unarmed. 
Their clothes were torn in tatters ; most of them 
were barefooted, and their feet bleeding from cuts 
received on the rocks in the mountains. Many 
of them were bareheaded. Some were waving lit- 
tle Union flags, made by their mothers, wives, and 
sisters, and presented to them before their de- 
parture from home. Among them were old gray- 
headed men, middle-aged men, and little boys, who 
had travelled several hundred miles, and crossed 
the Cumberland mountains. Many a stout heart 
was melted by this sight. The late General William 
Nelson was said to have been a cold and cruel man, 
but, at the spectacle, his large frame was made to 
tremble with emotion, while tears rolled down his 
cheeks ; and it was known, while General Kelson 
was in command at Camp Dick Robinson, that as 
soon as he had completed the organization of the 
regiments then in camp, he intended to move into 
East Tennessee. It is to be regretted that he was 
not permitted to execute his plans, for I flrmly be- 
lieve that if the General had not been removed 
from this command, and had been permitted, he 
would have taken Knoxville, and held all of East 
Tennessee. This would have been a glorious result. 
It would have eflfected more than any campaign 
since the commencement of the war. It would 



12 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

have liberated a downtrodden and oppressed peo- 
ple. Fifteen thousand able-bodied men would have 
been rescued and permitted to join the Union army, 
and with this acquisition, General Nelson could 
have held the country. Communication, to a con- 
siderable extent, would have been cut off between 
Yirginia and the southwest, and the General been 
in a position to menace the rebel forces in Yirginia 
as well as those south of him. It would have pre- 
vented the late retreat of General Buell's army from 
Tennessee, and have saved the devastation of Ken- 
tucky by the rebel troops. Such was the plan of 
General Nelson. 

I saw the East Tennesseeans in camp, as two 
regiments of them we reorganized at Camp Dick 
Robinson. The Ist East Tennessee regiment was 
commanded by Colonel Bird, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Spear (now Brigadier-General), and Major Shel- 
ley. The 2d East Tennessee regiment was com- 
manded by Colonel Carter. Brigadier-General 
Carter was also at this camp. The East Tennessee- 
ans were obedient and industrious. They were con- 
tinually drilling, and appeared very anxious to pre- 
pare themselves to do good service. They expected 
to return to East Tennessee as soon as their organi- 
zation was completed. But in this they were sadly 
disappointed. In October, 1861, these two regi- 
ments received orders to march to Camp AYildcat, 
which was in the direction of Cumberland Gap. 
They believed that as soon as Gen. ZollicoiFer was 
driven back (and of this they had no doubt), they 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 13 

would be permitted to march into East Tennessee, 
to retm*n to the defence of their families and their 
homes. Wlien the order was read, they gave vent 
to their long-subdued feelings. Such shouts were 
never heard before. Old gray-headed fathers for- 
got their age, and were once more boys in spirit 
and feeling. They imagined that they were march- 
ing down the valleys of East Tennessee, with the 
stars and stripes flying, and keeping step to the 
music of the Union, while their children and kin- 
dred were rushing to meet and welcome them home, 
and they could hear the shouts of fifteen thousand 
brother East Tennesseeans, who were ready and 
anxious to take up arms and rush to the defence of 
their country and their homes — the defence of their 
own firesides. Who can imagine the feelings of 
these brave and patriotic Tennesseeans? I wit- 
nessed the scene, but I cannot describe it. They 
soon struck tents, loaded their wagons, and were 
on the march. They reached Camp Wildcat Oct. 
21st, 1861, making a forced march, a short time af- 
ter the battle had been fought. Here was a scene. 
They had feelings of regret that they were not 
sooner, that they might have assisted in driving 
back General Zollicoff'er's forces. However, they 
rejoiced and shouted because the rebel General had 
been defeated, and the way opened for their return 
home. The Union forces pursued General Zolli- 
coff'er as far as London, Ky. In a few days an 
order came for the return of all the forces, except 
the 6th Kentucky infantry, and the 1st and 2d East 



14: THE PATRIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 

Tennessee regiments, who were to remain at that 
point. Here was another scene. The Tennesseeans 
gave vent to feelings of indignation, and tears of 
sorrow rolled down their brawny cheeks. General 
Zollicoffer's forces had been driven back, and had 
passed through the Cumberland Gap, and they felt 
indignant that they were not permitted to march to 
the relief of their kindred and in defence of their 
own homes. It was a dark and gloomy day to 
them ; their hopes were blasted ; they were again 
cut off from their beloved East Tennessee, their 
families and homes. 

Unfortunatel}^, General Kelson had been given 
another command, and another campaign had been 
agreed npon. A month after this. General Zollicof- 
fer made his appearance in front of Somerset, Ky., 
and threatened the Union troops at that point. The 
East Tennesseeans begged for permission to march 
to Somerset, that they might have an opportunity to 
cross swords with General Zollicoffer's forces. 
They were finally permitted to march to that point. 
General Schoepf, the commander of the Union for- 
ces at Somerset, was kept npon the defensive, till 
General Thomas could march from Lebanon, Ky., 
via Columbia, to attack General ZoUicoffer from 
another direction. The latter attacked a portion 
of General Thomas's forces before he (General 
Thomas) had completed his plans for the attack. 
Fortunately, Zollicoffer's forces were thoroughly 
routed. Again the Tennesseeans were too late to 
participate in the engagement, as they came up just 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 15 

in time to see the enemy's shattered columns flying 
for safety. The Tennesseeans were first in the 
pursuit, and were anxious to follow the enemy into 
Tennessee, but they received orders to return to 
London, with assurances that they would be per- 
mitted to march into that State via Cumberland 
Gap. They at length w^orked their way into the 
Gap, wdiere they were surrounded by a superior 
force, and kept in this pen for more than a month, 
in a Iralf-starved and half-naked condition, and 
Anally had to fight their way through the enemy's 
lines, and make their way to the Ohio river. As 
the history of General Morgan's retreat is fresh in 
the minds of the people, it is not necessary that I 
should add anything more, except that four other 
Tennessee regiments were organized at or near the 
Gap, during General Morgan's stay. 

Such is a brief history of the suflerings and 
treatment of a portion of the East Tennesseeans. 
It is not necessary that I should say any more of 
these loyal and patriotic people, for their devotion 
and suff'erings are already before the public. Rev. 
W. G. Brownlow has delineated their trials in a 
graphic manner. 

I will conclude this sketch of Tennesseeans by 
noticing some of them, wdio have dared to oppose 
the rebellion and resist their persecutors. 



16 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 



W. G. BRO^\^LOW. 

As everybody appears anxious to know some- 
thing of Parson Brownlow, it may not be amiss to 
give an anecdote or two of him. I will not vouch 
for the truth of the following, yet it is pretty good. 
It is known that he is a Methodist preacher. Upon 
one occasion he had an appointment to preach near 
JS^ashville. Some persons threatened him, and said 
he should not preach ; but at the hour appointed, 
Brownlow walked into the pulpit, and took a Bible 
and pistol from his pocket, and placed them on the 
stand before him. He said : '' By God I live — by 
God I am here ; and I'll be damned if I don't 
preach." He then took his text, and preached 
without interruption. Afterward some of his bre- 
thren approached him, and said that he had been 
profane. Brownlow said : " Not at all : for God 
gave me life, and placed me in the pulpit; and if I 
had not preached, He certainly would have damned 
me." 

Just before the Presidential election of 1856, 
Judge CuUom made a speech at Jamestown, Tenn., 
and quoted from the Congressional proceedings, to 
prove that Millard Fillmore was an Abolitionist. 
Parson Brownlow was present, and, when Judge 
Cullom concluded his speech, took the stand, and 
remarked that, if his friend had proven Millard 
Fillmore an Abolitionist, he had also proven him- 
self to be one ; for, upon an examination of the 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 17 

records, lie found that his friend Ciillom had given 
precisely the same votes that Filhnore had, as he 
was a member of Congress at the same session; 
and that a man who would publicly condemn him- 
self, in order to condemn another, occupied a very 
awkward position, and his advice ought not to be 
heeded. The Parson then took his seat amid roars 
of laughter. Cullom did not make another si^eech 
during the canvass. 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 

I can say very little of this patriot and states- 
man that is new. There are, however, a few in- 
cidents that I will relate, that are not generally 
known. After the adjournment of Congress, in 
March, 1861, Andrew Johnson proceeded to his 
home, in East Tennessee, by railway, through Yir- 
ginia. He was insulted and threatened often on 
the route by secessionists. Upon one occasion, a 
young man stepped into the car in which Johnson 
was seated, and inquired for him. Johnson rose 
from his seat, and said : " Here I am. What do 
you want ?" The young man said that he was 
authorized and instructed to pull his nose, and 
started toward Johnson ; who prepared to defend 
himself, and told him to come on and execute 
his order. But the young man thought discretion 
the better part of valor, and, declining the honor, 
left the car. — After Johnson's return home, he 
canvassed East Tennessee, denouncing the schemes 



18 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

of the secessionists, and nrging the people to vote 
against the ordinance of secession, and to stand 
by the Union forever. But the secession leaders 
had the advantage of him. They were in power 
in the State, and he was not ; they had the State 
arms in their possession, and Johnson and his friends 
were unarmed. The secessionists had an armed 
force in Middle and West Tennessee, to awe the 
voters into submission, and Johnson was not per- 
mitted to speak in those two divisions of the State. 
Tennessee was declared by them out of the Union ; 
but Johnson had canvassed East Tennessee at great 
personal danger ; and that part of the State gave 
twenty thousand majority for the Union. After 
the election, Johnson started for Washington. A 
warrant had been obtained for his arrest. He was 
watched and pursued, and was fired npon near 
Cumberland Gap. He, however, made his escape 
into Kentucky. After his return from Washing- 
ton, he visited Camp Dick Eobinson, and remained 
with the soldiers, the most of his time, for several 
months. He encouraged and rendered them all the 
assistance in his power, and was beloved by the 
East Tennesseeans as a father. He was treated as 
such by them, and was as kind to them as a father 
to his children. He had a plan for a campaign, 
which was the same as General Xelson's. He 
urged his plan upon military commanders and the 
authorities at Washington. He said. Send an army 
into East Tennessee and take Knoxville, and the 
backbone of the rebellion will be broken. He de- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 19 

clared often thafc he liad urged this plan upon the 
authorities, and that it was the best move that could 
be made. Knoxville was a great central point, 
through which communication was kept up between 
Virginia and the southwestern States. He said 
that Knoxville must be taken, and was vehement 
in urging his plans, but he was disappointed. An- 
other campaign was agreed upon, and East Tennes- 
see — the land he loved so well — was doomed to 
rebel rule for a while longer. The patriots of East 
Tennessee were for another season to be persecuted 
by traitors. 

It has been said that Andrew Johnson was a 
demagogue — that he was a dishonest politician. 
Never was a charge more false. He is a patriot 
and statesman, sacrificing all sectional feelings, his 
own ease and popularity at home, for his coun- 
try. He has devoted all to his country", and is 
exceedingly popular in Tennessee. He had been 
elected to Congress as often as he would consent to 
serve in that capacity ; had been Governor of the 
State, and' was elected United States Senator for 
six years. If he had abandoned the flag of his 
country, and turned traitor, he could have obtained 
an}^ position in the Southern Confederacy he might 
have desired. But no ; he was an honest man. 
He had the courage to resist all temptations and 
threats. He preferred separation from his family, 
exile, and all the personal sacrifices that could be 
made, rather than become a traitor. Of thirty 
southern Senators, not more than four stood firm. 



20 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

He said, " No ! I will never abandon the Union ; 
I will never desert the flag of my country. If the 
Union dies, I will die with it. I want the star- 
spangled, banner for a winding sheet." Lately, 
when all Tennessee, except N^ashville, was aban- 
doned by the Union forces, and the secessionists 
were howling around that place, a proposition was 
made to abandon the city. Johnson said, No ; I 
will never surrender the city. If it is taken, my 
body will be found beneath the ruins of the capitol. 
Andrew Johnson's name will stand among the 
first of those honored by the nation. 

J. D. HALE. 

I will say nothing further of those well known 
to the nation, but will give brief sketches of a few 
characters who are not so well known — not so in- 
fluential, yet as patriotic. J. D. Hale is a native 
of New Hampshire, but has resided for several 
years past in the northeastern part of Overton 
county, Tennessee, near the Kentucky line. He is 
about forty years old — five feet nine inches high ; 
has sandy hair and w^hiskers, rather stooped or 
round shoulders, and a gray eye. He has a long 
and rather narrow head, and is heavy built ; is quite 
energetic and industrious, and has accumulated 
some property. He owned a farm and a good 
water-mill ; kept an assortment of farmers' tools for 
sale ; was a mechanic, and, like all other Yankees, 
was quite useful as a citizen. He had acquired 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 21 

considerable influence — was firm and decided, 
sober, and of steady habits. lie was among the 
first to denounce and expose secession. The Union 
never had a warmer and firmer advocate, and for 
it he was willing and ready to do anything in his 
power. In the spring of 1861, the Tennessee Legis- 
lature passed an ordinance of secession, «,nd sub- 
mitted it to a vote of the people ; but, without 
awaiting the result of the vote, formed a league 
with Jeif. Davis' Government, and authorized the 
Governor to raise fifty-five thousand troops. He 
immediately commenced operations ; raised a con- 
siderable force, armed them, and placed them in 
difierent parts of the State, so as to control the 
election. Troops were sent into Tennessee from 
other southern States. Such men as John Bell 
and Andrew Ewing submitted, and advocated se- 
cession ; such as Andrew Johnson and Horace May- 
nard stood firm. They made speeches wherever 
they could, and canvassed East ' Tennessee, but 
were not permitted to visit Middle and West Ten- 
nessee ; Union men were not permitted to talk in 
those divisions of the State. In East Tennessee 
their friends protected them, and they talked in 
spite of all opposition. It was, however, with great 
personal danger; they were threatened wherever 
they went. Hale protected the friends of the Union, 
regardless of personal danger. Hon. Horace May- 
nard had an appointment to speak at Livingston, 
Overton county, Tenn. A large audience was in 
attendance. Maynard attempted to speak, but was 



22 Tllli PATKIOTS AND GUEKILLAS UF 

prevented, by the secession leaders. Just as lie 
commenced, a committee of leading secessionists 
appeared in the court house, and informed him that 
a meeting had been in session, and had resolved 
that he should not speak. He told them that 
Judge Gill and other prominent men were present, 
and coukl reply, and if he was wrong, they could 
certainly expose his false positions ; and that no 
criminal had ever been denied a he'aring in the 
State of Tennessee. They said that '•'the day for 
disciLSsio7i had ])assedP (This was before the peo- 
ple had voted upon the ordinance of secession.) He 
suggested that if he was wrong, no harm would re- 
sult to an intelligent people. They replied, that his 
eloquence was too persuasive — that he might as well 
desist, as they had determined he should not speak. 
He saw that it would be useless to make the eifort, 
and desisted ; but announced that he would speak 
at Monroe, the next day — a small town, about six 
miles from Livingston. The secessionists declared 
that he should not speak ; that they would be pres- 
ent with the militia; and, if he attempted to speak, 
they would disperse the meeting. Hale was present 
and heard their threats, and immediately went to 
work and collected between three and four hun- 
dred Union citizens, who were armed with squirrel 
rifles and shot guns. They raised the stars and 
stripes, the banner of liberty, and marched in a 
body to Monroe, determined to defend, as long 
as life lasted, that banner, free speech, and the 
Union. Such was the resolve of true, determined 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 23 

patriots. Maynard spoke to a large audience ^vitli- 
out interruption. With burning eloquence he ex- 
posed the frauds and designs of the secessionists, 
and held up to his spell-bound audience the sacred- 
ness of the Union cause. Burning tears rolled 
down the cheeks of old, gray-headed fathers. 
Young men took a vow never to forsake the cause 
of the Union ; and well have they kept that vow. 
At the conclusion of the speech, the audience 
gave three tremendous cheers for the Union, and 
then dispersed. Hale accompanied Maynard to 
Travisville, Fentress county, the next day, where 
he made another eloquent speech to a large audi- 
ence. 

Such were the trials and difficulties of the 
Union men in Tennessee. JSione but the brave 
stood firm. Hale was determined that the cause 
of the Union should be defended in his part of the 
State, at all hazards. If Union men everywhere 
had followed this noble example, the evil conse- 
quences of secession and rebellion would not have 
been experienced. It required resolution and de- 
termination to meet such a crisis. 

Hale, by his unceasing exertions for the Union, 
became known throughout the State of Tennessee. 
He was threatened in the secession prints, and by 
secession orators ; was hated by them, and de- 
nounced as a "Yankee." He was told that he 
had no right to say anything ; yet he did talk. 
It was mainly by his exertions that the people of 
the northeastern portion of Overton and the whole 



24 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

of Fentress county voted almost unanimously 
for the Union. The secessionists said that if it 
had not been for Hale, these people would have 
remained loyal to the South, and that they intended 
to hang him. He was hunted and watched by them. 
He was compelled to leave his home, and conceal 
himself among the rocks of Wolf river hills, and 
was finally forced to leave the State. At the hour 
of midnight he loaded his wagons with a portion of 
his personal effects, and, with his family, made his 
escape to Albany, Ky., as he could not with safety 
travel the public highway in daylight. He did 
not cease his labors, but assisted Union men to es- 
cape from Tennessee, and forwarded them to Camp 
Dick Robinson. His son, aged about sixteen, was 
captured and held as a prisoner. After a few months 
his family were followed to Albany. His negro 
man and horses were driven off, and other property 
taken. They were again compelled to flee ; and 
crossing the Cumberland river, stopped in Adair 
county, Ky.- 

He continued to correspond with the East Ten- 
nesseeans, assisting many of them in escaping from 
their persecutors, and rendered good service to- 
ward organizing the Tennessee troops. His labors 
were unceasing. Having an iron will and consti- 
tution, he suffered and endured. He rendered 
;very important services, such as few would dare 
undertake, and w^hich have been acknowledged by 
General 'Oeorge H. Thomas, and other military 
men ia the West. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 25 

In the last conversation I had with Hale, he re- 
marked that he had suffered much, and could 
endure more ; that he would never desert the 
Union. Although he was the . owner of slaves, 
he thought more of his country than of them, 
and did not consider any man patriotic that 
thought otherwise, however loud his professions for 
the Union. He further remarked, "The Union 
citizens of Overton and Fentress counties have 
stood by me when the rebels w^ere hunting for my 
life, and by faith I will stand by them. I will 
never desert them." 



ZACKARTS. 

The Zackary family, from Hale's neighborhood, 
is very numerous. Being loyal, they were driven 
from their homes, and fled to Kentucky for safety. 
A portion of them likewise took their families to 
that State. The men all joined the Union army, 
and have done good service. Porter Zackary was 
killed in the battle at Mill Springs, January 19th, 
1862. He died bravely fighting for his country, 
and the cause of human liberty. Some of the other 
Zackarys will be mentioned again. 

HUDDLESTONS. 

The Huddleston family of Fentress and Overton 
counties, Tennessee, is quite numerous. Like many 
other families, they are divided, some for the Union 

2 



26 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

and others for the rebellion. Soon after the seces- 
sion of the State, Stokelj Hudclleston received a 
commission from Governor Isham G. Harris, as 
Colonel of the militia. He immediately organ- 
ized the militia, with the design of persecuting the 
Union citizens of Overton county. He was a terror 
to them, as they knew his violent temper and bad 
habits. Elam E. Huddleston, a cousin of the Colo- 
nel, was a firm and decided Union man, and had 
considerable influence. He was therefore threat- 
ened and persecuted, for no Union man of any in- 
fluence was permitted to remain in the State. He 
and his family made their escape to Kentucky. 
Upon his return for his personal property, he found 
that the Colonel had seized it and locked it up. 
Elam is a man of spirit and courage ; he vrould 
not submit to anything without an efibrt. AYith 
the assistance of James Ferguson (who will be 
mentioned again), and some of the Huddlestons 
and Zackarys, he proceeded to his farm and broke 
the locks, loaded a wagon with a portion of his 
house and kitchen furniture, and started for Ken- 
tucky. They soon discovered that they were closely 
pursued by Colonel Huddleston and a company of 
his forces. Elam told the driver to proceed to the 
Kentucky line without any delay, while he and his 
comrades selected a position for defence. Colonel 
Huddleston was soon in sight. He dashed ahead 
of his company, waving his sword, and demanded 
that Elam and his comrades should surrender. 
They told him they would never surrender, and 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 27 

warned him not to approach nearer. He did not 
heed them, but rushed forward, and at the keen 
crack of a rifle fell from his horse : Marion Zack- 
ary had iired the fatal shot. Colonel Huddleston's 
followers fled, and Elam and his comrades pro- 
ceeded to Kentucky "without further molestation. 
This occurrence created great excitement. It was 
the first blood that had been shed in that section 
since the w^ar commenced. A prominent seces- 
sionist had been killed, and Union blood must 
atone for it. A general persecution commenced ; 
vengeance was threatened against all Union men, 
and they fled to Kentucky for safety. 

Elam Huddleston enlisted in the 1st regiment 
of Kentucky cavalry, comm.anded by Colonel Frank 
Wolford. He made a good soldier, and rendered 
important service, having been in many battles and 
skirmishes, and always displayed coolness and cour- 
age not excelled by any one. If a service of a des- 
perate character was to be performed, Elam Hud- 
dleston was selected. It will be sufiicient for the 
present to make a statement of the part he took in 
the battle of Mill Springs, January 19, 1862, be- 
tween the Union forces commanded by General 
George H. Thomas, and the rebel forces command- 
ed by Generals George B. Crittenden and Felix K. 
Zollicofier. The Union pickets were attacked at 
daylight, and twenty mounted men were immedi- 
ately sent to their support. Elam Huddleston was 
one of the twenty. When they arrived upon the 
ground, the rebel cavalry had retired, and the 



28 THE PATEIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

Union pickets were confronted by an entire regi- 
ment of infantry. The pickets took a strong posi- 
tion, and received the attack of the rebel regiment. 
The latter however were held in check until other 
forces formed and marched to the scene of action, a 
distance of half a mile. It was however with consid- 
erable loss in killed and wounded. The pickets stood 
firm until their foes were nearly upon them, when all 
retired except Elam Huddleston, who remained 
until he was nearly surrounded, when, throwing 
himself flat upon his horse, he galloped to the rear 
without any injury. Before his return, his brother 
Ambrose (who was with the picket) said to an offi- 
cer that Elam had acted very foolish ; that he had 
remained until he was surrounded, and was then 
killed. Elam, upon his return, reported that the 
enemy were approaching in full force — that he had 
fired six times after all others retired, and that he 
saw four men fall, one he believed to be a commis- 
sioned officer. After the battle the ground was ex- 
amined, and one captain and three privates were 
found to have been slain. Huddleston took his 
horse to the rear, and returned and did good ser- 
vice on foot. After the battle, he pointed out a 
spot upon which he said he had shot several of the 
enemy. The ground was examined, and the bodies 
of one commissioned officer and ten privates were 
found. 

Elam Huddleston is about thirty-five years old — 
five feet ten inches high. He has light hair, blue 
eyes, and fair skin ; is a man of good sense, and has 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 29 

ever been true to his country, and as brave as any 
man that ever breathed. 

I cannot close this brief notice of the Huddle- 
stons without mentioning Thomas, a brother of 
Elam. He was a small fellow, and was quite witty 
— furnishing much amusement for his companions 
in arms. He made a good soldier, and was entirely 
brave. He had a Sharpe's rifle which he kept in 
good order, and no one could get it from him. 
About the 1st of October, 1861, Captain Morrison 
of the 1st Kentucky cavalry attacked a rebel camp 
at Travisville, Tenn., and dispersed them. They 
returned to camp considerably elated with their 
success. Colonel Hoskins, the commanding officer, 
said to Thomas Huddleston, " Well, Tom, what did 
you do?" He replied: ''Colonel, I fired several 
rounds, captured one soldier and two horses, and 
looked for more, but they were all gone." Tom was 
an obedient soldier, and stood fair with his officers. 

TINKER DAVE BEATY. 

I will mention another Tennesseean, who has 
attracted attention since the commencement of the 
rebellion. Tinker Dave Beaty, as he is commonly 
called, is a citizen of Fentress county, and has 
made his mark. He may be called a rough, un- 
educated mountain man, or in other words a back- 
woodsman, who has never forsaken the flag of his 
country. His operations have chiefly been in Fen- 
tress and Overton counties. Kebel troops have 



30 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

been in these counties ever since Tennessee seceded, 
with the exception of very short periods ; but 
Beaty is so well acquainted with the country, being 
familiar with every road and path, it was al- 
most impossible to catch him. If he is seriously 
menaced he retires to the mountains. He some- 
times has sixty men with him, and again not more 
than fifteen or twenty. His men are all mounted. 
He has no camp, no wagons, tents, or camp equi- 
page, but stays where he can best conceal his men. 
At all times, Beaty has out scouts and pickets ; he 
never permits himself to be surprised. Whenever 
an opportunity is presented, he pounces upon a 
party of soldiers or guerillas, cutting them to pieces, 
capturing arms, ammunition, etc. By these attacks 
Beaty keeps his men supplied with equipments, and 
partly with provisions. 

The rebels by some means obtained a large 
quantity of medicine at Louisville, Ky., and 
smuggled it through the Union lines, via Burks- 
ville, Ky. They had reached Fentress county with 
the medicine, and thought it entirely safe. But 
the keen eye of Beaty detected them. He seized 
upon their wagons and captured several thousand 
dollars' worth of medicine. This was a very severe 
loss to the South, as medicine with them was very 
scarce. 

Upon another occasion, the rebels were driving 
south a large number of cattle they had taken 
from the citizens of "Wayne and Clinton counties, 
Ky. Beaty heard of their movements, and conceal- 



EAST TENNESSEE . AND KENTUCKY. 31 

ing his men by the road side, at tlie proper moment 
attacked them with such fierceness that they fled in 
confusion, leaving their cattle and six of their com- 
panions, who had been shot. Although the rebel 
troops have been on every side of Beaty, and a 
large army one hundred and fifty miles in his rear 
(General Bragg's forces when in Kentucky), yet he 
remains in his favorite locality. He still continues 
to make successful raids upon the rebels, and has 
become a perfect terror to them. Beaty and his 
men have never been mustered into the regular 
service. They receive no pay, no clothes, no camp 
equipage, rations, nor military stores of any kind. 
They are no expense to the government, yet render 
as valuable service as the same number of men 
anywhere. Neither does he impose upon Union 
citizens. He sustains his brave little band upon 
the enemy. 

I might mention other names, but enough has 
already been said to indicate the loyalty, devotion, 
and suflferings of these people. Probably eight 
thousand of loyal Tennesseeans are in the Union 
army. They left their homes and went forth to 
battle for their country. Their wives and children 
and kindred are at home, persecuted, and sufiering 
great privations. It is the duty of the Government 
to send aid to these loyal people. While the men 
are in the army, fighting under their country's ban- 
ner, rebels are burning their houses and turning 
their wives and little children out of doors. One 
little boy said to his mother, while their house was 



32 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

burning, " Mother, where will we stay to-night ? " 
The mother replied, " I will build a pen, and we 
will stay in that." A rebel said, "Kot a bit of 
it; if you are found here after this we will burn 
you^ 

The Kentuckians upon the Tennessee line have 
suftered greatly. They have exhibited as much 
loyalty as any people that ever lived. When a 
call was made, they rushed to arms and filled 
Kentucky's quota. Let us take Clinton county, for 
an example. This county had about nine hundred 
voters, yet she has furnished six hundred soldiers 
for the Union army. They bade farewell to 
dear ones at home, and gave their lives to their 
country. 

This county has been in possession of the rebels 
for more than a year, with two or three exceptions, 
when the Union forces occupied Albany, the county 
town of Clinton. The citizens have been insulted, 
arrested, and imprisoned, and a number of them 
murdered in the most fiendish manner. All the 
property in the county of any value that could be 
moved, has been carried off, and the citizens left in 
a destitute condition. Slaves have been taken from 
their owners and conveyed south, and free negroes 
sold into slavery ; men of character and distinction 
have suffered the grossest outrage ; soldiers' fami- 
lies have been compelled to flee from home for 
safety ; citizens were forced to leave their homes 
and property, and seek refuge among strangers. 
This is no fancy sketch. My home is in this coun- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 33 

ty, and having visited i\ since these troubles com- 
menced (being a refugee myself), I aver that these 
are truths. 

I will mention the names of a few individuals, 
and state their losses and sufferings. Joshua L. 
Chilton, an industrious and peaceable citizen, was 
not permitted to remain at home. He was threat- 
ened and hunted, but nothing could deter him from 
his duty to his country. He was too old to join the 
army, but had two boys who could go, and he sent 
them both — the younger only seventeen years old. 
The eldest, James L., joined the first company raised 
in the county, and was appointed a sergeant. He 
greatly distinguished himself for bravery at the 
battle of Mill Springs, and has been one of the best 
soldiers in the regiment, 1st Kentuck}^ cavalry. The 
father was quite active, and rendered the Union 
cause good service. For this he was hated and 
driven from his home, and became a refugee. 
While General Bragg was in Kentucky, a portion 
of his soldiers killed Chilton, Ambrose Huddle- 
ston, a Tennesseean, and others, at Liberty, Ky. 
J. P. Pickens, a merchant of Albany, lost a 
stock of goods and other property. He was 
threatened, and forced to flee across the Cumber- 
land river for safety. His fiimily were also driven 
from home, and became refugees. Dr. Elza Beck- 
ett, a physician, who had an extensive practice, and 
whose professional services were greatly needed, 
was banished from his home ; and his family, who 
endured the insults and abuse of rebels for some 

9* 



34 THE PATKIOTS AND GUEEILLAS OF 

time, were also compelled to leave their home and 
seek protection among strangers. D. P. Wright, a 
farmer, was chased and fired upon, and kept from 
his home : he lost a large amount of property. 
Elijah Roger, an old, peaceable, and quiet citizen, 
who never did any one an injury, lost about fifty 
horses and mules, besides other property. James 
E. Gibbons, a farmer and a good citizen, lost twenty 
horses and mules, and other property : he was com- 
pelled to hide in the hills to save his life. Lewis 
"Wright, an old citizen, who was almost helpless, had 
no slaves except one negro man, that he had bought 
to attend him in his old age. This man was stolen 
from him and taken south, and the old gentleman 
left in a helpless condition. Yan Buren Hopkins, 
a good citizen, was arrested and sent to XashviUe. 
He was fed upon tainted beef until nearly dead, 
and was only released upon the urgent applications 
of his brother, who was a rebel. John S. Stockton, 
the three Dickens, Crezelius, and other citizens, 
were seized and sent with Hopkins to Nashville. 
They did not have the same luck as Hopkins. They 
had no rebel relations to intercede for them, and 
were sent to Salisbury, 'N. C, where they are yet, 
having been closely confined for more than ten 
months. Soldiers who have been released from the 
same prison report them in a half-naked and starved 
condition. Reuben Wood, Frogge, the two John- 
sons, Elisha Koger, Isaac Story, young Zackary, and 
other citizens, have been murdered in the most 
brutal manner. These are only a few individual 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 35 

cases. All the citizens have suiFered ; no discrim- 
ination was made between Union citizens. Can the 
loyalty of a people be more severely tested ? Are 
they not truly patriotic? Should they not receive 
the sympathies of all loyal men and the protection 
of the Government? 



36 THE PATEIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 



CHAPTEK II. 

NOTORIOUS CHARACTERS— THE FERGUSONS— ATROCIOUS 
MURDERS, ETC. _ 

Among the great evils of the rebellion and the 
civil war produced bj it, is the guerilla or partisan 
warfare. Guerilla chiefs are generally vicious 
men, who prefer plundering, and inflicting pain 
and injury upon citizens, to war according to civi- 
lized usages. They submit to no restraint, but 
claim freedom to commit high-handed crimes with- 
out fear of punishment. Men who did not expect 
to become outlaws and murderers when they joined 
these bands, have sunk to that level. They were 
corrupted by their associates. Ascertaining that they 
were not governed by any rules of civilized warfare, 
and would not be punished if they did rob and 
murder citizens, they gave way to temptation, and 
became unscrupulous outlaws. 

The citizens along the Kentucky and Tennessee 
line have suffered greatly at the hands of guerillas, 
more perhaps than any people in this country. I pro- 
pose to give a brief sketch of several guerilla chiefs 
and partisan warriors, including an account of some 
of the most notorious murders committed by them. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 37 



CHAMP FERGUSON. 

Of all the guerilla cliiefs and cold-blooded mur- 
derers, Cliamp Ferguson ranks as the most despe- 
rate and fiendish. He is a thief, robber, counter- 
feiter, and" murderer. His record does not stop 
with two or three offences, but is one continual 
scene of blood and plunder. He was born and 
raised in Clinton co., Ky. ; is between thirty-five and 
forty years old, about six feet high, and weighs one 
hundred and eighty pounds, without any surplus 
flesh. He has a large foot, and gives his legs a 
loose sling in walking, with his toes turned out — is 
a little stooped, with his head down. He has long 
arms and large hands, broad round shoulders, skin 
rather dark, black hair a little curled, a broad face, 
large mouth, and a tremendous voice, which can be 
heard at a long distance when in a rage. He had 
a little stillhouse where he manufactured corn 
whiskey and apple brandy, and always kept a 
quantity on his premises, thereby collecting vicious 
characters about him. He usually kept race-horses, 
and attended a race-course in the county called 
" Seven Chestnuts." Large numbers would collect 
at this course to witness the races, bet upon their 
favorite horses, play cards, and drink intoxicating 
liquors, with which the course was always supplied. 
Often severe fights would take place at these races, 
but seldom was any serious damage done ; the 
parties participating were generally satisfied with 



38 THE PATEIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

black eyes and bloody noses. Sometimes, Low- 
ever, these fights would be earnest, the parties 
using knives and other deadly w^eapons. Champ 
Ferguson participated in the races, and frequently 
in the fights. He was very fond of the card-table. 
A king or ruler among his class, they must do as 
he said. He was a bully, a ruffian, and dare-devil 
kind of fellow, a terror to peaceable citizens, and 
shunned by them. It was generally believed that he 
was a counterfeiter, but as he employed other 
l^ersons to pass his spurious money, he was never 
detected ; or if he was, a ].>eaceable, quiet man 
would not risk personal danger to testify against 
him before a grand jury. 

Some years ago two brothers, named Evans, 
bought a drove of fat hogs from citizens in Clinton 
county. Among others they made a purchase from 
Champ Ferguson. They forged, as was said after- 
ward, the names of solvent persons, thereby obtain- 
ing credit for a short time. They drove the hogs 
south, sold them, and returned "broke," as the}^ 
said. It was generally believed that they sold the 
hogs for a profit, and returned with a large amount 
of money. The solvent parties refused to pay these 
debts, and proved that they had not authorized the 
use of their names. 

The Evans settled in Fentress county, Tenn. 
They got in several of the claims against them for 
a trifle. In a few years they had accumulated 
considerable property, including a good farm ; but 
they had the title-papers so arranged that their 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 39 

property could not be subjected to the payment of 
their debts without a long and tedious law suit. 
The creditors preferred losing their debts to pros- 
ecuting a suit in another State. But such a man 
as Ferguson was not going to be outdone. He 
would not sell his claim for a trifle, nor would he 
institute a suit while there was any other course. 
He ascertained that by the laws of Kentucky an 
attachment could be obtained against the property 
of non-residents of the State. He had his point : 
the Evans were non-residents, but they had no 
property in the State. That, however, made no 
difference with Ferguson. He visited Evans' stable 
after dark, and soon had a fine horse in Kentucky. 
He then proceeded to the clerk's office, instituted 
suit, and obtained an attachment against any prop- 
erty of the Evans' that might be found in Clinton 
county. He soon found the sheriff, and placed the 
attachment in his hands. The officer proceeded 
with Ferguson, and the horse was pointed out as 
the property of the two men. The sheriff of course 
seized the horse, which was sold as part payment 
of the debt. Ferguson often visited Tennessee, and 
in this way secured his debt, as also others which 
he had purchased. The Evans boys, being afraid 
of personal violence, or an order of arrest for them, 
would let these cases go by default, or would send 
money to redeem their property. — In these matters 
Ferguson exhibited great cunning, and a cool, cal- 
culating disposition, which enabled him to resort to 
any means to carry his point. 



40 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

Things went on in this way for some time. The 
Evans got tired of Ferguson's noctm-nal visits to 
their stable, without calling upon them in person. 
They consulted a lawyer, who advised them, the 
first time they found Ferguson in the State, to ob- 
tain a warrant for his arrest, charging him with 
larceny ; and if they caught him they could put 
him through. Some time after this Champ Fergu- 
son made his appearance at a camp meeting in 
Fentress county. The Evans were also there. 
They went to a justice of the peace, and obtained a 
warrant for Champ Ferguson's arrest, accusing him 
of the crime of larceny, committed by " taking and 

carrying away a horse, the property of , with 

the felonious intent of converting it to his own use." 
The warrant was placed in the hands of sheriff 
Reed, who summoned a ^' posse " to assist him in 
taking Ferguson. The latter, through a friend, 
heard of these movements. He did not intend to be 
taken without a struggle. Mounting his horse, he 
started toward the Kentucky line, pursued by Eeed, 
Evans, and others. They gained upon him, Reed 
in advance. Ferguson got them " strung out^'' 
when he dismounted and prepared for battle. Reed 
also dismounted, and meeting him, told him to sur- 
render. Ferguson seized Reed and stabbed him with 
a large knife. Reed begging him for God's sake not 
to kill him. Ferguson heeded him not, but pierced 
his body in twenty odd places. By this time one 
of the Evans arrived. Ferguson seized him and 
stabbed him several times. Other persons coming 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 41 

lip, tlie murderer had to flee. He took refuge in a 
house near by. Kunning up stairs, he took a posi- 
tion at the only entrance, and swore that he would 
kill the first man that made his appearance. As 
only one could go up at a time, and Ferguson could 
'conceal himself by the door till the person was in 
his reach, it was thought advisable not to attack 
him. An agreement was therefore made, that if he 
would deliver himself into the hands of an officer, 
and submit to a trial, no violence should be inflict- 
ed. He was then examined before a magistrate, 
and held for the murder of Keed. (Evans was not 
killed ; he recovered, although every one expected 
his death.) Ferguson was sent to jail. He was in- 
dicted at the next term of the criminal court, but, 
being permitted to give bail, was released from cus- 
tody. At each succeeding term of the court, upon 
some pretext or other, he would obtain a continu- 
ance of the prosecution against him. Things went 
on in this way till Tennessee seceded, which was 
some two or three years after he was indicted. It 
was then agreed that if Ferguson would join the 
rebel cause, the prosecution against him for the 
murder of Reed should be dismissed. The villain 
complied, and the case was dropped. 

In all these afi'airs Ferguson displayed his real 
character — a bloody and unprincipled pan. The 
history of this transaction is entirely true ; and I 
have been thus particular, that I might give the 
reader some idea of real life — of society and the 
working of law — in that section of the country. 



42 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

For some time Ferguson said but little publicly, 
as Clinton was a strong Union county, and he then 
had but little support or encouragement. In the 
mean time he was working secretly and doing much 
mischief. Upon two or three occasions he got very 
bold, owing perhaps to the influence of intoxication. 
He frequently visited a rebel camp in Fentress 
count}^, and conveyed them all the information he 
could obtain. In the early part of August, 1861, 
two companies of Union soldiers left Clinton coun- 
ty, when Ferguson became much bolder. About 
the last of August four Union citizens planned his 
capture, and succeeded. They started with him to 
Camp Dick Robinson, about one hundred miles from 
Albany. Ferguson did not complain ; he was very 
submissive, and apparently little concerned about 
his fate. His point was gained. His privileges were 
increased, and the first opportunity he made his es- 
cape. Once more free, he has no concealments to 
make. The tiger is aroused. He seeks blood, and 
must have it. Revenge is inscribed upon his ban- 
ner ; death and ruin to Union men is his motto. 
He gloats over his victims ; the last drop of human 
kindness and sympathy is gone, and he is no longer 
a man. He is a demon — a fiend. He declares 
that he will never again be taken prisoner. It shall 
be death. He asks no quarters, grants none. These 
are his declarations. 

It is not long before he obtains blood. Frogge, 
one of his captors, was taken sick and confined to 
his bed. While in this condition, with his little 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 43 

babe on the bed by bis side, and bis wife sitting by, 
Ferguson and one of his companions entered the 
room. He told Frogge that he had come to kill 
him. Frogge begged that his life might be spared. 
His wife, npon bended knees, and with tears in her 
eyes, entreated Ferguson to spare her husband. 
'No entreaties could touch his heart ; he heeded 
neither the tears of the wife, nor the innocent looks 
of the child. He raised his pistol, and inflicted a 
severe wound. Frogge looked up to Ferguson 
imploringly, and once more begged him to spare his 
life. The murderer again fired, when Frogge, 
clasping Jiis babe to his breast, murmured, " O 
God !" and died. The wife fled, not thinking her 
own life safe in the presence of such a monster, and 
believing both her husband and child to have been 
killed. Ferguson then took the Manhet from the 
hed and carried it off! After this Ferguson became 
the leader of the reckless and notorious characters 
of that section of the country. 

In the latter part of September, 1861, Kentucky 
was invaded at several points by rebel troops. A 
body of them entered Clinton county. Ferguson 
and his followers went through the county, steal- 
ing horses, mules, cattle, and all kinds of property. 
Later in the season they seized all the fat hogs, 
drove them south, and sold them for large sums of 
money. 

The next crime of which Champ Ferguson was 
guijty, was the murder of Reuben B. Wood, a re- 
spectable citizen of OWv-Xon county. In August, 



44: THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

1861, Mr. "Wood went with a company of Union 
soldiers to Camp Dick Robinson, and remained 
with them about a month, when he returned to his 
home. Some time after his return, Ferguson and 
Raine H. Philpott rode in front of his house, and 
called him. He walked out and spoke in a friendly 
manner. Ferguson said : " God damn you, Reuben 
Wood, I intend to kill you !" Wood replied, " Ko, 
Champ, you would not kill me. We have lived 
near each other as neighbors all yonr life, and I 
have never done 3^ou any harm." " Yes, by God, I 
will. You carried the d — d Lincoln flag at Camp 
Dick Robinson." " Why, Champ, I nearly raised 
you. I nursed you on my knee." "You are a 
d — d Lincolnite," was the response ; and with these 
words he fired upon Wood, inflicting a severe 
wound in his thigh. Wood turned and fled into 
the house, Ferguson dismounting and following 
him. Wood seized a hatchet and struck Fergu- 
son a powerful blow upon the head. He was in the 
act of striking another, which would have proved 
fatal, when Philpott entered the room with his 
pistol in his hand, and told Wood that if he struck 
he would shoot him. Wood knew it would be 
useless to contend with both of them, and not think- 
ing his wound mortal, dropped the hatchet. Fer- 
guson and Philpott mounted their horses and rode 
away, perhaps to murder another innocent man. 
Wood lingered a short time, and died. His 
exertions in the scufile with Ferguson, added to the 
wound, was more than his age could bear. A large 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 45 

and respected family was left to mourn his loss. 
He was a peaceable and quiet citizen, and stood 
very high in society. His age was from fifty-five 
to sixty. 

Ferguson threatened nearly every Union citizen 
in the county. A large number of them fled to 
escape his persecutions. There was scarcely a day 
that he did not fire upon some innocent person. 
If he had been alone, or with but few followers, his 
career would have soon ended ; but he generally 
went with a considerable force. Rebel troops 
occupied that section in large force, and the citizens 
thought it best not to use violence. 

About this time Ferguson and a squad of his 
men went to the residence of George W. Hopkins, 
near Albany, in order to get possession of his little 
negro girl. She was a likely girl, and Fei-guson 
was very anxious to get her into his possession. 
He could sell her for a large sum of money, and it 
would be a good speculation, without much risk. 
Mr. Hopkins was not at home, being in the south- 
ern army. Mrs. Hopkins heard that they were 
coming, and had conveyed the girl to parts un- 
known to them. (The underground railroad had 
been brought into use.) When Ferguson arrived, 
the girl could not be found. He said she was in 
the bed, and set fire to it. Mrs. Hopkins put it 
out. Ferguson set fire to it again, and told her 
that if she put it out he would kill her. She again 
extinguished it. He then for the third time fired 
the bed, and told Mrs. Hopkins that he would 



46 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

certainly kill her if she extinguished it again. For 
all that, she put it out the third time. She then 
told Ferguson that she heard he was coming, and 
had sent the girl away, and she would die rather 
than tell where she was. It was useless to threaten 
her. Ferguson and his crew saw that she was in 
earnest, and left without doing any further mis- 
chief. 

On one occasion Ferguson caught a white man 
near Albany, by the name of Spangler. He made 
him strip, and then lashed him with a horsewhip 
till the poor man was almost dead. While he was 
whipping him, Capt. John A. Morrison, a gallant 
officer, and a man that Ferguson knew would fight, 
appeared in sight at the head of his company, of 
the 1st Kegiment Kentucky cavalry. Ferguson and 
his gang this time considered discretion the better 
part of valor, as they were outnumbered, and they 
fled in the direction of Tennessee. A young man 
of the party, named Allen, attempted to rein his 
liorse from a tree in his front ; but the horse plunged 
in a different direction, and dashed his rider against 
the tree, killing him instantly. 

Ferguson's next operations were in Tennessee. 
I do not know any of the particulars of his career 
in that State, but have learned that he was as 
desperate and wicked as when in Kentucky — rob- 
bing and murdering Union citizens wherever he 
w^ent. About this time Governor Andrew Johnson, 
of Tennessee, issued a proclamation, reciting that 
Ferguson had committed many murders and other 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 47 

crimes in Tennessee, and offering a reward of five 
hundred dollars for his capture and delivery to the 
authorities for trial and ijunishment. 

Ferguson did not remain entirely in Tennessee. 
He made his headquarters in that State, — a depot 
for stolen property. Yery frequently he would re- 
turn to Clinton and, other counties upon the border, 
and collect a large amount of property, returning 
with it to, Tennessee. He continued these raids 
during the winter and spring of 1862, one of which, 
occurring about the 10th of April, I will allude to. 
He had with him his squad of desperate characters, 
and was accompanied by two other companies of 
independent partisans. He was exceedingly blood- 
thirsty on this occasion, and desired to kill every 
Union citizen he met. He and his band proceeded 
to a farm, where the neighbors had collected to roll 
the logs on a piece of ground intended to be plant- 
ed in corn. He attacked this j)eaceable and de- 
fenceless party, and shot several of them on the 
spot ; took others prisoners, who surrendered, and 
asked for protection. But Ferguson never takes 
prisoners. He ordered his satellites to hold them 
by the arms, and while the prisoners were in this 
condition, he deliberately ripped them open with a 
huge knife, their bowels dropping upon tlie ground. 
Could such a fiendish act be committed ? It seems 
almost incredible, but it is nevertheless true. 

He then proceeded to another part of the coun- 
ty, to add other victims to his list. He met a boy 
by the name of Zachary, and told him to halt. The 



48 THE PATRIOTS AXD GUEEILLAS OF 

boy stopped. Ferguson asked him liis name, wliich 
was given. That was enough. Young Zachary 
had a father and several brothers in the Union 
army, and Ferguson must take vengeance npon this 
defenceless boy. He deliberately took the gun 
from his shoulder and shot the boy dead. Little 
did the monster care. He delighted in the work. 
He added perhaps a dozen names to his list of vic- 
tims on this expedition. Young Zachary's father, 
with a broken heart, started in pursuit of his child's 
murderers. He was not able to find Ferguson, but 
not long afterward he met one of the men who par- 
ticipated in the act. Waiting for no parley, he in- 
stantly shot him through the heart. 

Such is border life. Those who have not seen 
or felt it, have no conception of the devastation and 
ruin brought upon the country — the naked and 
starved condition of the inhabitants — the large 
number of them that have been maltreated, and 
imprisoned, and murdered. Desolation and mourn- 
ing have been brought to the door of every family. 
The writer, among many others, is an exile from 
home, without a pillow upon which to rest his 
weary head, with a wife and two children clinging 
to him for protection and support. 

This was one of Ferguson's bloodiest raids. 
After murdering many of the citizens, he collected 
a large amount of property and returned to Tennes- 
see. Some time after this he made another raid into 
the same county. He did not, hov^^ever, succeed 
as well in murdering citizens. Hearing of his ap- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 49 

proach, tliej fled to the hills for safety. Yet one 
or two fell victims to his cruelty. Early in the 
morning Ferguson stealthily crept near the house 
of Elisha Koger, and, concealing himself, awaited 
for his victim to make his appearance. At dawn 
Koger rose from his bed and stepped to the door 
unsuspectingly. Ferguson instantly shot him. 
Koger cried, " Oh God ! I am shot," and fell back 
in the house a corpse. He left a wife and several 
children almost in a helpless condition, as he had 
but little property. Soon after this, Isaac Story, a 
peaceable citizen, Avas shot upon the public high- 
way by Ferguson's band. Other crimes have been 
committed in Kentucky, the details of which have 
not come to my notice ; nor is it my intention to 
speak of every case, but give a general outline of 
his murderous career. 

I will now relate an incident of Ferguson which, 
instead of being, like some others, painful and heart- 
rending, is rather amusing. , of Burksville, a 

Southern sympathizer, had, in order to keep np good 
feeling with some Union soldiers, offered a reward 
of one hundred dollars for Champ Ferguson's head. 
The latter heard of it, and afterward visited Burks- 
ville in company with the notorious Colonel John 

Morgan. He soon found , who was very glad 

to meet him. He told him that he understood he 
had offered a reward of one hundred dollars for his 
head, and that he had brought it himself, and want- 
ed the money. said it was a mistake ; he had 

never had such talk about him. Ferguson said that 
3 



50 THE PATRIOTS AJS^D GUERILLAS OF 

he was certain that he had the talk, and that he in- 
tended to have the monej. brought out his 

confederate notes. Ferguson declined to receive 

them — he wanted good money. then offered 

Tennessee money. This was also refused. He then 
tendered Kentucky paper and Treasury notes. Fer- 
guson refused all; he said that he wanted good 
money, and that he intended to liave gold ; and 

finally forced to pay him one hundred dollars 

in gold ! 

But Ferguson did not escape all this time with- 
out trouble and danger. He was very often fired 
upon by citizens ; had several horses shot from 
under him ; and received several slight wounds. 
In the latter part of January, 1862, Lieutenant Per- 
kins and a squad of the 1st Eegiment Kentucky 
cavalry crossed Cumberland river, and attempted 
to surprise Ferguson and his band, who was then 
in Clinton county. Lieutenant Perkins waited until 
night, and then made a rapid march till he came 
near Ferguson's position. They dismounted and 
walked a short distance, when they came upon 
Ferguson and his party. Lieutenant Perkins at- 
tacked them with great fierceness. Some of the 
party escaped unhurt, but several were killed. 
Ferguson escaped with a slight wound in the hand. 
He ran by Lieutenant Perkins, yelling like a de- 
mon, " God damn you, shoot ! " and was fired upon 
several times at short range. He had several holes 
made in *his clothes, but was saved by a coat of 
mail wliich he always wore. This has been doubted 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 51 

by many, but I have conversed with a gentleman 
who said he had seen it, and that it covered his en- 
tire body. Ferguson had a very narrow escape on 
another occasion. As a portion of the 1st Kegiment 
Kentucky cavah-y was marching from Albany to 
ISTashville, a squad of them came upon Ferguson 
near Cookesville. He was dressed in United States 
uniform, and was about to pass unnoticed, when he 
was recognized by two of them. He thereupon fled 
in the direction of Cookesville, closely pursued. 
Another squad of the cavalry was in the place, but- 
Ferguson's cunning and strategy again saved him. 
He rushed into the town and called to them, saying, 
" For God's sake, don't let them rebels kill me." 
The ruse was successful. They believed that he 
was a Union soldier, and let him pass. His pursu- 
ers were soon up, and dashed on after him. Being 
mounted on a good horse, he was soon beyond the 
reach of all except two, Sergeant Floyd and Dr. J. 
C. Riffe, assistant surgeon of tlie regiment, who 
rode a fine horse, and concluded to take a tilt at 
Ferguson, as he had heard much about him. They 
came close behind him, and fired. He took the 
bridle between his teeth and continued the flight, at 
the same time firing over his shoulder with a pistol 
in each hand. He never looked back, but kept his 
head down. Floyd's horse was shot, and lie was 
compelled to stop. Dr. Riffe continued the pursuit. 
He received a slight wound in his shoulder, but 
still pressed forward until he reached Ferguson's 
side. He then fired deliberately, putting his pistol 



52 THE PATEIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

against Ferguson's body. The latter abandoned 
liis horse, and made his escape in the heavy timber 
by the road-side. He was once more saved by his 
coat of mail, without doubt. He kept his head 
down to secure it from the balls, as it was not pro- 
tected. Isaac L. Smith, one of his band, and a very 
bad fellow, was with him on this occasion and was 
caught. As soon as the balls began to whistle 
about his head he stopped and surrendered. He 
was taken to Nashville, and from there sent !N'orth. 

In June, 1862, Ferguson joined the notorious 
John Morgan, and was with him in his expedition 
through Kentucky in July. He was with Morgan 
when he captured a train of cars on the Louisville 
and !N"asliviile railroad. Major W. A. Coffey was 
on board, and was taken a prisoner; but before 
being taken, he fired three times with a Colt's pis- 
tol. One ball cut a lock of Ferguson's hair entirely 
off, which he presented to the Major. 

In August, Ferguson was again in Clinton coun- 
ty, committing depredations. He visited the house 
of Mr. T. W. Tabor for plunder. He found the 
watch of Tabor's son, who had lately died. The 
mother objected, saying she wanted to keep the 
watch of her deceased son ; and for this she was 
knockeddown and otherwise maltreated. 

I was informed recently that Captain Morrison 
and a company of Home Guards had killed Fer. 
guson and sixteen of his band. If true, the country 
is rid of one of the worst characters that ever lived. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 53 



JAMES FEKGUSON. 

Champ Fp:kguson had a younger brother, com- 
monly called "Jim," who lived in the same neio-h- 
borhood. He also attended the race-course, and 
had his fights and personal difficulties. He also 
married into the same family. His wife was a lady- 
like woman. He was not as successful as Champ 
in making money, having very little property, while 
Champ was considered solvent, and able to pay all 
his liabilities. There was another difference be- 
tween them. Champ, more cunning and sly, would 
endeavor to conceal some of his bad habits. Jim 
was more bold and open, and had a worse name 
than Champ, while in fact the latter was the worst 
character. Champ was a cold-blooded devil, and 
had no human sympathy. His stony heart could 
not be touched by the distress of a human being. 
If he did anything for the relief of those in distress, 
it was from a calculating design to benefit himself; 
for the purpose of gaining a point which he could 
turn to his own advantage. Jim was benevolent, 
and treated his friends with great kindness. He 
had sympathy for those in distress, and would make 
any sacrifices ta relieve them. This was rather an 
impulse with him, for it did not extend beyond 
what he actually saw. It was not a deep-rooted 
principle that influenced his entire actions. The 
lower passions were dominant, and, when distress 
was not actually before him, would control his 
nature. 



54 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

Champ and Jim generallj^ opposed each other. 
They were of opposite political faith, Champ being 
a democrat and Jim a whig. Neither did they 
always agree about personal matters : they would 
sometimes fight. Jim was a better man physically, 
and always conquered Champ. Upon the Union 
question they also differed. Jim strenuously op- 
posed secession, and advocated the maintenance of 
the Union. Pie had some influence, and did some 
good, keeping several from being carried away by 
the excitement into secession. He was about six 
feet two inches high, ?lnd very large — a giant in 
strength. He was once accused of passing counter- 
feit money, and indicted, but never had a trial. He 
w^as a great litigant in the courts, always suing 
somebody, if he was not sued or prosecuted himself. 
When sober he was quite peaceable ; but occasion- 
ally he would get drunk, and then all his bad pas- 
sions were stirred up. It was upon these occasions 
that he got into difiiculties which brought him be- 
fore the courts. He enlisted in one of the first com- 
panies raised in Kentucky, and became a very obe- 
dient soldier in every respect. Having always been 
free and unrestrained,, roaming where he pleased, 
confinement and discipline went hard wntli him. 
He became restless — could not see much advantage 
in drilling — wanted active service. Although he 
grew restless and weary, his officers never had any 
trouble w^ith him. He could not understand that 
the colonel of another regiment had any control 
over him, and on one occasion flatly refused to obey 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 55 

Ills orders, and was arrested and confined for some 
time, but finally released without a court-martial. 
He liad obtained considerable reputation among the 
Union citizens, and was very popular with many 
of them, owing to his fighting qualities. Once, 
while his regiment was stationed •at Camp Dick 
Kobinson, he obtained leave to make a visit to the 
country. During his absence he met a young man 
named Beasly, and asked him if he was for the 
Union or against it. Beasly avowed his disunion 
sentiments. Ferguson informed him that he must 
go to camp with him. Beasl}^ said he would not 
go, and attempted to draw a weapon. Ferguson 
was too quick for him, and instantly shot him with 
a Sharpe's rifle. He returned to camp, and surren- 
dered to the military authorities, stating that he had 
killed Beasly, and gave the circumstances attending 
the unfortunate afi:air.. Beasly stood fair as a citi- 
zen. The secessionists in that section raised a cry 
against Ferguson, demanding his life, and some 
Union men joined in the cry. The military author- 
ities kept him confined for two or three weeks. 
They had informed the civil authorities that he was 
confined, and would be delivered into their hands 
whenever they were ready to investigate the afiair. 
As, however, they would not agree to give Fergu- 
son an immediate hearing, but wanted to confine 
him in jail, and as there was very good reason to 
believe that if he was ]Dlaced in jail a mob of seces- 
sionists would take him out and hang him, he was 
not surrendered to them, but released from his con- 



56 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

fiuement. The civil authorities were at the same 
time informed that they could»have Ferguson when- 
ever they made the proper demand, accompanied 
by legal authority The matter here dropj^ed, and 
the case was never investigated. Beasly was the 
only citizen kilfed by Ferguson, so far as my know- 
ledge extends. 

Ferguson became restless, and begged to be sent 
out as a scout, which was finally agreed to by his 
Colonel, on his promise not to interfere with citizens 
or private property. About the 1st of December, 
1861, the 1st regiment of Kentucky cavalry (the 
regiment to which Ferguson belonged) was station- 
ed at Columbia, Ky. At that time all the country 
south of Cumberland river was in possession of the 
rebels. Ferguson and five other soldiers were per- 
mitted to cross the river, and obtain such informa- 
tion of rebel movements as they could without too 
great danger. They crossed at Creelsboro, a little 
town on the north bank, about twenty miles from 
Columbia, and proceeded after dark about fifteen 
miles further, and obtained all the necessary infor- 
mation from the Union citizens. They learned that 
a squad of rebel cavalry was encamped near by, 
and concluded to have a little amusement before 
returning. They soon found the rebel camp, and 
made a vigorous attack upon it ; the men fied, 
leaving horses and equipage, guns, pistols, sabres, 
etc. Ferguson took possession of the abandoned 
property, recrossed the river, and returned to camp 
in safety with the captured property, which was of 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 57 

considerable value. A short time after this a com- 
pany of rebel cavalry were marching to the Cum- 
berland river at Rowena, with the intention of 
crossing to the north side. Ferguson heard of their 
movements, and proceeded alone to the river, and 
secured the only ferry-boat at that point, which he 
took to the north bank. The river could not at 
that time be forded. After Ferguson had secured 
the boat, the rebel cavalry arrived and marched 
down to the river, but found that the boat had been 
taken to the opposite bank. Ferguson fired across 
the river at them with effect. As they could see 
no enemy, they commenced a retreat ; but before 
they got beyond the reach of his rifle, he had killed 
one soldier and wounded one or two others, and 
also killed a horse. He remained at this point and 
kept them from crossing. 

On anotlier occasion Ferguson, one other soldier, 
and three citizens, crossed the Cumberland, and 
after dark proceeded to the camp of a rebel regi- 
ment. Ferguson's plan was this: he and one of the 
citizens were to fire npon the camp, while the 
other soldier and two citizens were to get as many 
horses as they could take away. They left their 
own horses a considerable distance from the rebel 
camp, and proceeded through the woods on foot, 
avoiding the pickets, until they reached the camp. 
Ferguson and his companion fired into the camp, 
creating great confusion ; reloaded and fired several 
times. (They had breech-loading rifles, and could 
fire very rapidly.) The drums were beat, the sol- 
3" 



58 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEEILLAS OF 

diers aroused from their slumber, and as soon as 
possible a line of battle was formed. No further 
attack, however, was made, and the rebels wondered 
what the matter was ; but next morning thej ascer- 
tained that five of their best horses were gone. 
Ferguson and his companions had secured them 
and recrossed the river in safety. They were much 
elated with their success, as the captured horses 
were very fine. 

Ferguson did not stop at this ; he continually 
annoyed the enemy, capturing horses, arms, etc. ; 
he was also instrumental in obtaining important in- 
formation. It is not necessary that I should give a 
detail of the services rendered by him ; enough has 
already been said to indicate the character of the 
man. It will only be necessary to add that lie was 
anxious to be upon all hazardous expeditions, and 
that ofiicers of other regiments, when starting upon 
important and dangerous missions, would go to Col- 
onel Wolford and ask that Ferguson might be per- 
mitted to accompany them. His career, however, 
was to be short. One evening after dark he stop- 
ped at a house near Lancaster, Ky. Soon after 
entering, he was called by name by a person in 
front of the house, who told him that his horse was 
loose. He stepped to the door to answer the call, 
when he was shot by persons concealed in the 
yard. One load of buckshot took efiect in the 
bowels, another in the thigh. He returned into the 
house, procured his rifle, and fired at the assassins 
from a window, but without efiect. His wounds 



EAST TENNESSEE AND E:P:NTrCKY. 59 

were mortal ; no medical aid could do him good. 
He conversed freely, saying that he expected to die, 
and that his only regret was that he did not have 
an opportunity to defend himself. He said that he 
should die without a murmur, if he could have met 
his enemies face to face, and been killed in open 
fight, where his chance would have been equal. 
A short time before his death he said, " I have one 
consolation : I have discharged my duty to my 
country ; I have done my duty as a soldier. As 
many as eight of my country's enemies have fallen 
at the crack of my rifle, but I never shot a man 
with his back to me. Take my rifle to Captain 
Morrison, and tell him that I die at the hands of 
cowardly assassins, but that I am not afraid to 
die." His murderers, who no doubt were hired to 
commit the act, fled to Tennessee. Beasly's friends 
had sworn that he should not live ; and among 
others, prominent citizens of Lincoln county were 
implicated in the crime. 

James Ferguson, like many other persons, had 
faults. While he was brave, and kind to friends, 
he had no respect for an enemy. He married the 
daughter of Brooks Owen, a respectable citizen of 
Clinton county. His wife was true and faithful to 
him. She never abandoned him in distress, but 
was always ready to defend his name from attack. 
She was also true to the Union, and often conveyed 
important information to the federal camps. Fre- 
quently she crossed the Cumberland river, and 
travelled a distance of thirty or forty miles, for the 



60 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

purpose of giving information of rebel movements. 
Champ Ferguson and other rebels would often 
visit her liouse and abuse her husband, sometimes 
reporting that he was dead — that he had been 
killed in some skirmish or battle. She remained 
chiefly at home, seldom going out except to obtain 
and convey information of rebel operations. She 
is tall and good-looking ; dresses plain, as her hus- 
band was poor ; is frank and candid. She is left 
with two children to struggle on in her way through 
the world. 

I here close my sketch of the Ferguson brothers. 
They became quite notorious, and will be long re- 
membered by the citizens on the Kentucky and 
Tennessee line. They had a brother named Benja- 
min, noted for nothing in particular except being 
the brother of Champ and Jim, and reputed a 
drinking and gambling character. He claimed to 
be loyal, but remained at home. In 1861 he was 
shot in the shoulder by Kaine H. Philpott, a noted 
rebel. 

EDWAKD FEEGUSON. 

Champ Ferguson had a cousin named Edward, 
who lived in Clinton county at the commencement 
of the rebellion. He was loyal, and enlisted in the 
5th Kentucky cavalry, commanded by Col. D. K. 
Haggard. He was strictly temperate, but rather 
excitable. He served in the United States army 
against the Indians. Of his early history I know 
nothing, as he lived many years in the State of 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTIJCKT. 61 

Tennessee. He made a good soldier, and was con- 
sidered the bravest among the brave. My regiment 
being in a difierent command, I have no personal 
knowledge of the services he rendered the Govern- 
ment ; but I learned from officers in his regiment 
that he was one of the best soldiers in their com- 
mand, and was always ready and enthusiastic when 
anything was to be done. On one occasion, he took 
a squad of soldiers and proceeded to a little town 
called Edmington, near a rebel camp, and tore down 
the confederate flag, hoisting the Stars and Stripes 
in its place. Unionists before this had been afraid 
to venture to this town. While General ZollicofFer 
held possession of the country south of Cumberland 
river, Edward Ferguson, together with four other 
soldiers, left camp at Columbia, Ky., and crossing 
the Cumberland, proceeded about eight miles south, 
and after dark attacked a squad of rebels. They 
met with no cowards, being fiercely assailed in 
return. Capt. Shelby Coftey, at the head of his 
men, rushed upon Ferguson and his squad. The 
two leaders met, and neither flinched. They rushed 
at each other, firing their revolvers determinedly. 
Both fell, Ferguson fatally wounded, but not until 
he had received several shots. Cofley survived but 
a few weeks. After Ferguson's death, his com- 
panions fled, one of them having received a severe 
but not fatal wound. One rebel, named Gabbert, 
was killed in this rencontre, and others were 
wounded. 

Ferguson was remarkable for his great strength, 



62 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

being able to raise immense weights with his teeth. 
I have seen him thus raise with ease a keg of nails 
weighing one hundred pounds. He lived and died 
a poor man, leaving a large family. 

CAPT. SHELBY COFFEY. 

Captain Shelby Coffey, already referred to, a 
young man of good family, was born in Wayne 
county, Ky. The Coffeys of this county were a 
wealthy and influential people. The Captain repre- 
sented Wayne county in the Kentucky Legislature 
of 1860-61. He stood very high among the mem- 
bers of that body. After his return from the ses- 
sion he and other citizens of Wayne county went to 
Yirginia. He was in the battle of Manassas in 
July, 1861, and is reported to have distinguished 
himself. Subsequently he returned to Tennessee 
and Kentucky, where he remained until his death. 
Brave, and beloved by his acquaintances, he bid 
fair to become distinguished ; but, like many other 
youths of Kentucky, was misled by political trick- 
sters. He had a good name before the rebellion, 
and was a candidate for fame ; but the curse of re- 
bellion blighted his character. Shelby Coffey was 
corrupted by James S. Chrisman, of Wayne county, 
who represented the 4th Congressional District of 
Kentucky in the Congress of the U. S. in 1854-5. 
He is now in the Confederate Congress through a 
fraudulent election. He also corrupted several 
other young men, and got them in the army — a 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 63 

place that he could not be induced to occupy him- 
self. He was prevailed upon to go within fifteen 
miles of the battle of Mill Springs ; but as soon as 
he ascertained that the rebel army was defeated, 
made fast time south. 

James M. Saufley, a young man of good educa- 
tion, who had just graduated at the Law University 
at Louisville, Ky., and who reposed entire confi- 
dence in Chrisman, his uncle, was persuaded by 
him to abandon his home and follow him to Ten- 
nessee. Young Saufley was not willing to go, nor 
did he intend to join the rebel army ; but Chrisman 
conveyed him to a rebel camp in Fentress county. 
Capt. Morrison, with his company of Union soldiers, 
attacked the camp and put the rebels to flight. 
Poor Saufley was left dead upon the battle ground. 
His death was regretted by all his acquaintances. 
He was considered innocent, but a victim to Chris- 
man's treason. Although several young men of 
Wayne county whom Chrisman seduced were in 
this camp, Chrisman himself was not there. He 
always sought a safer place than a camp. 

Who can estimate the magnitude of the crime 
committed by Simon B. Buckner, John C. Breck- 
inridge, and James S. Chrisman, in misleading and 
corrupting the youth of Kentucky ! 

EAINE II. PHILPOTT. 

This young man, who has already been spoken 
of in connection with Champ Ferguson, is of good 



64 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

parentage, and received an excellent education. 
His father died while he was a child, leaving him, 
his only son, considerable property. Inclined to be 
wild and reckless, he became fond of the intoxicat- 
ing bowl, and was often found at the card-table. It 
did not take long, after he arrived at the age of 
twenty-one, to squander his estate ; being haughty 
and insulting, he was often involved in difficulties. 
He had a quarrel with a young man named Allen, 
and attempted to kill him ; but Allen, not being so 
much intoxicated, and quicker in movement, stab- 
bed Philpott severely. A month or so after, Phil- 
pott recovered, but was none the wiser for tlie lesson 
received. His political tutors either joined the 
rebellion or became sympathizers of the rebel cause. 
It is not strange therefore that he followed their 
example, nor, considering liis wild and intemperate 
habits, is it strange that he became a guerilla, a 
marauder, and associate with such a man as Champ 
Ferguson. He was a party to a portion of that vil- 
lain's crimes. Ferguson and Philpott took horses, 
mules, and hogs from the citizens, and drove them 
south for sale. Philpott thereby got a large sum 
of money in his possession. He was in Tennessee 
with Champ Ferguson when last heard from, and it 
was rumored that Ferguson and another person had 
killed him for his money. Ferguson was capable 
of such an act, and probably committed the crime ; 
but it was believed that Philpott went to Texas. 
He was a victim to his passions and the guile of 
political demagogues. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 65 



CAPTAIN HAMILTON. 

Among the notorious rebels and guerilla chiefs 
is Captain Hamilton, of Jackson county, Tenn. 
Before the rebellion he was known as a man of prop- 
erty and respectability, although somewhat dissi- 
pated, and fond of the race course. At the com- 
mencement of hostilities he raised an independent 
company for the rebel service, operating principally 
in Jackson and Overton counties, Tenn., and Mon- 
roe and Cumberland counties. Ivy. On one occa- 
sion, while in Cumberland county, he visited the 
farm of , for the purpose of capturing or mur- 
dering him and his sons. They were all absent 
except one of the boys, who started to run, when 
he was fired upon by the party and left for dead ; 
he however recovered. The only fault of this fam- 
ily was loyalty to the Union. 

After General Zollicofter had been defeated and 
his army driven from the upper Cumberland, and 
E'ashville taken by the Union forces, Hamilton 
watched the river, and kept up a blockade so that 
steamboats could not navigate it above I^ashville. 
One boat, however, ventured out and ascended the 
river. Hamilton permitted it to go up, but cap- 
tured it on its return. It was laden with tobacco 
and other valuable property, which he seized. He 
was very active. He took a great number of horses 
and other property from Union citizens, and cap- 
tured from the Home Guards in Kentucky a large 



66 THE PATKIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 

quantity of arms furnished them by the Govern- 
ment. One incident will be sufficient to portray his 
true character, without relating other crimes which 
he committed. A young man of Monroe county, 
Ky., incurred his displeasure, probably because he 
was a Unionist, as he was considered very quiet 
and peaceable. Captain Hamilton crossed Cum- 
berland river below Celina, Tenn., and proceeded 
to Monroe county, Ky., on a raid against the citi- 
zens of that county. With a squad of his men he 
went to the house of this young man and surrounded 
it. He came out, and being fired upon, ran to es- 
cape the danger that threatened him. They fired 
again, and wounded him, when he was captured. 
His distressed mother begged them to spare the life 
of her son, and the young man also entreated them 
to save his life. But entreaties were of no avail, 
Hamilton had become a cruel monster; he had lost 
his manhood. He gave the order ; his gang fired 
again, and the young man sank a lifeless form at 
his mother's feet. Unhappy mother ! Her only 
child, her only dependence, snatched from her in 
a moment ! Yet she was not the only mother that 
sufiered at the hands of this fiend. Hamilton is 
still at large, and, if possible, growing harder and 
more cruel every day. 

I have said enough of these guerilla chiefs. 
The}^ have devastated the country, and carried 
death to almost every household. Yet they flou- 
rish ; they have increased their forces, obtained new 
allies, and extended their work. And who knows 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 67 

where it will end ? If not cliecked soon, this bor- 
der will be a desolated plain. Will the Govern- 
ment sutler tliis ? Will it send protection to these 
loyal people ? Nearly all the able-bodied men of 
this section are in the army. Can they not be sent 
back to protect their families from the atrocities of 
worse than savages ? 



68 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 



CHAPTEE III. 

KENTUCKY AND THE EEBELLION. 

"What wonderful changes have been produced 
by the rebellion ! We are in the midst of a conflict 
which has revolutionized the feelings, sentiments, 
and opinions of all the people. AA^ho supposed that 
the rebellion would assume snch gigantic propor- 
tions ? Who suspected that the rebels would ex- 
hibit such strength, resource, and energy ? Who 
imagined that it would take more than a million 
of men to conquer them? Other things just as 
wonderful have occurred. The rebellion was no 
sudden thing. Politicians had been preparing the 
minds of the people for it for more than thirty years. 
If it had been a sudden outbreak, a bubble, it could 
have been easily controlled ; it would have been 
crushed ere this. But it was founded upon a deep- 
seated feeling of hatred. When it came, it brought 
with it power and strength — a povv'er which forced 
upon the American people tremendous issues. 
These issues had to be met and acted upon. Does 
any one suppose that at the close of the war, when 
peace is restored to the country, affairs will assume 
their former condition? Does any one suppose that 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 69 

slavery will have the same political power that it 
formerly had, or that the old dispute about slavery 
in the Territories will be renewed ? It is already 
decided that slavery shall never enter any of the 
Territories of the United States. Does any one sup- 
pose that we will have any more fugitive-slave 
laws ? Is not everybody satisfied that slavery as 
an institution has received a death blow — that it is 
in its last agonies ? The slaves may not be liber- 
ated during the struggle, but a blow has already 
been struck that will finally destroy slavery upon 
the American continent. 

I have been led to these reflections by a retro- 
spective view of the condition of my native State, 
Kentucky. They may not be proper in this place, 
but I will let them stand as I have written them. 
Powerful clianges have already occurred in Ken- 
tucky ; a mighty revolution has taken place in that 
State. As these changes are for the better, I have 
no reflections to cast upon any one who has assisted 
in producing this change. As a Kentuckian, I am 
familiar with the occurrences in my native State for 
several years past. I will take a brief notice of 
affairs there, in order to set forth the gradual 
changes taking place, and to explain the reasons 
why Kentucky was slow in taking up arms in de- 
fence of the Government ; and also to present the 
difiiculties under which a few patriotic and brave 
spirits have labored. 

In 1859, the people of Kentucky were called 
upon to cast their suflfrages for an occupant of the 



70 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

Gubernatorkl chair for the succeeding four years. 
Beriah Magoffin, Democrat, and Joshua F. Bell 
(old line Whig), opposition, were the candidates. 
The Democrats had obtained the ascendency in 
1856, and a powerful effort was to be made to re- 
deem the State from their power. The opposition 
brought out their most popular man. *For many 
years the question of slavery had been agitated 
to such an extent that the elections were controlled 
almost entirely by it. There had been a continual 
clamor for Southern rights, in which the Demo- 
crats had generally taken the lead. Bell w^as a 
shrewd politician. He endeavored to get the ad- 
vantage in this canvass. He took the position 
that, in accordance with the decision of the Su- 
preme Court in the Dred Scott case. Congress had 
the 23ower, and it was a duty, to pass a law to pro- 
tect slave property in the Territories. Magoffin 
took the position that the Constitution and the com- 
mon law afforded sufficient protection, and that no 
legislation was necessary. It will be seen that each 
party at that time favored. the extension of slavery, 
and that politicians appealed to sectional feelings 
and prejudices to carry their elections. 

Magoffin was elected by a small majority. The 
canvass was very unfortunate for the Union cause. 
It was calculated to poison the minds of the people, 
and prejudice them against the people of the North- 
ern States. It gave encouragement to the seces- 
sionists, who were then planning the destruction of 
the Union. Bell was so heated with party excite- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 71 

ment, that he did not see the fatal results which an 
agitation of the question in that form would pro- 
duce. He did not know that he was adding fuel to 
the volcano that was then almost ready to burst 
and send destruction throughout the land. When 
his head became cool, and he was no longer a can- 
didate, his voice was heard sounding throughout 
the State, denouncing everything that had a ten- 
dency to weaken the cords that bound us together 
as one peoj^le. The very next year he stigmatized, 
in eloquent tones, the Breckinridge party, as a dis- 
union party — a party which advocated the same 
doctrines he upheld the year before. 

In 1860, the people w^ere called upon to elect a 
President for four years from the 4th of March, 
1861. Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, 
John Bell, and John C. Breckinridge were the 
candidates. Abraham Lincoln was elected. John 
Bell obtained the electoral vote of Kentucky ; John 
C. Breckinridge, once the pride of Kentucky, was 
defeated in his native State. He was the candidate 
of the secessionists. The people of Kentucky were 
not prepared to indorse any movement that had for 
its object the dissolution of the Union ; yet Breck- 
inridge received a large vote in the State, while 
Lincoln received but few. Douglas received a 
respectable, but not large vote. The bold canvass 
made by him and Jiis friends aided greatly in de- 
feating Breckinridge. The denunciation of sec- 
tional parties, and the warm advocacy of national 
unity, by Douglas, had a powerful effect. It, to a 



72 THE PATRIOTS AND GrERILLAS OF 

great degree, broke the chain that politicians had 
been forging for the people ; it caused many to 
pause and think; it brought many back to their 
former love of the Union. 

In April, 1861, all the cotton States had seced- 
ed : Virginia was gone. The loyal States were 
called upon to furnish troops to put down the 
rebellion. Kentucky hesitated ; she at first de- 
clared that she w^ould be neutral. Why was 
this ? 

1st. The institutions of Kentucky were similar 
to those of the seceded States ; they were sister 
States ; Kentucky had always been upon the most 
friendly terms with them ; she therefore had a 
natural sympathy for them. 

2d. The politicians for many years had told the 
people that the South had been imposed upon, and 
had not obtained their rights ; and by these means 
had created a feeling which was hard to subdue. 
With such men as John C. Breckinridge, Humph- 
rey Marshal, William Preston, Simon B. Buckner, 
James B. Clay, William E. Simms, Henry C. Bur- 
nett, and others, advocating the Southern cause, 
and Governor Magofiin inclining in that direction, 
it was no easy task to take a bold stand against the 
South, and surmount these difficulties, 

3d. She also hoj^ed, by taking this position, to 
exercise a greater influence for the Union : she 
hoped to influence the seceding States to return to 
their allegiance. 

But when it was known that no compromise 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. iO 

could be effected, and when Kentucky's soil was 
invaded, neutrality was no longer known ; tliere 
could be no neutrality. Kentucky had to be eitlier 
for or against the Union. She would not abandon 
the Government that had never wronged her ; she 
would not abandon the star-gemmed banner that 
had afforded ample protection to her people, and 
become a party to Southern treason. The question 
was soon decided. Her sons rallied around the 
flag of their country. 

Such is an outline of the struggle in Kentucky. 
Union men had many difficulties to surmount. 
The people of this State have#net other important 
questions and decided upon them. She is now for 
the Union without any conditions. She prefers the 
Union without slavery, to disunion with slavery. 
She has sacrificed sectional feelings : a confiscation 
bill has been passed by Congress; the President 
has issued an emancipation proclamation ; yet 
Kentucky does not falter. Her soldiers are in the 
foremost ranks, doing battle for the country's cause, 
for freedom and liberty. 

I have already said too much upon a matter 
that is so well understood. Although the doctrine 
of neutrality was at one time quite popular in Ken- 
tucky, yet there were Kentuckians that knew no 
neutrality. They were for the Union uncondition- 
ally. They advocated the use of immediate and 
decisive means to crush the rebellion. They said 
that any attempt to compromise with it was useless. 
Such was the position of Judge Thomas E. Bramlette 
4 



74: THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

and Frank Wolford. They knew no neutrality be- 
tween their Government and rebels. They made 
speeches. Judge Bramlette spoke in every county 
in his judicial district, and some of the speeches 
were published. These two patriots were ready 
and anxious to raise troops for the defence of the 
Government ; but they would not leave the State 
to organize Kentucky soldiers, as did some others. 
They did not receive permission to organize Ken- 
tucky troops upon Kentucky's soil till July, 1861, 
when it was decided to establish a camp for the 
collection and instruction of Kentucky volunteers. 
Bramlette, Wolford^ Speed, S. Fry, and T. T. Gar- 
rard received commissions as colonels. Colonel 
Wolford was authorized to raise a regiment of cav- 
alry, and the others infantry. These noble spirits 
had serious difficulties to encounter. Governor 
Magoffin was opposed to the establishment of the 
camp. The camp was threatened by the State 
Guard, under command of General S. B. Bnckner. 
Men claiming loyalty opposed the movement. It 
has been said that Garrett Davis, now United States 
Senator, strenuously opposed it ; that he visited the 
camp, for the purpose of urging these colonels to 
abandon the enterprise ; that he went to see Presi- 
dent Lincoln in regard to it. Various citizens 
visited the camp and talked to the officers, and 
endeavored to persuade them to abandon the move- 
ment. I was told by an officer that a meeting was 
held at the camp, at which several distinguished 
Kentuckians were present, and th^t only one citi- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 75 

zen (E. L, Van Winkle) supported the ofiicers. The 
camp was, however, established, and these four 
colonels were soon at the head of a fine body of 
Kentucky soldiers. Two regiments of Tennessee 
troops were also organized at this camp. 



CAMP DICK EOBINSON. 

The camp established by these noble and patri- 
otic spirits was called Camp Dick Robinson. It 
took its name from Dick (Richard) Robinson, the 
owner of the farm upon which it was established. 
The camp was located in Garrard county, on the 
turnpike road leading from Lancaster and Danville 
to Lexington. The roads from these towns formed 
a junction at Robinson's. The camp is in a very 
wealthy blue-grass region. Dick's river is about 
two niiles west, and the Kentucky river about ten 
miles north, of the camp. These two rivers, and 
the broken land and hills through which they run, 
with the hills east of the camp, make it a very 
strong military position. The country south of it is 
level, and quite fertile. The camp w^as situated on 
a very rich and level farm. 



GENERAL WILLIAM NELSON. 

General William E'elson, who commanded at 
this camp, had been a naval officer for a number of 
years. He was a very large man. He had a strong 



76 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

constitution, large red face, broad foreliead, black 
hair which curled slightly. He had a fine voice, 
which was strong, and could be heard at a great 
distance. He was excitable, and easil}^ got into a 
passion ; was very strict in discipline, and could 
not tolerate opposition ; strict and tyrannical as a 
soldier, but quite social, and enjoyed himself in 
good society. He was a good scholar and a fine 
writer. 

COLONEL THOMAS E. BRAMLETTE. 

Colonel Bramlette, as has already been said, 
took a very decided and firm position against the 
rebellion. The regiment organized by him was 
denominated the 3d Kegiment of Kentucky infan- 
try. He was born and raised in Clinton county, 
Ivy., where he practised law for a number of years. 
He was a member of the Kentucky Legislature 
from this county for one session ; he also acted as 
Commonwealth's Attorney while a citizen of the 
county. In 1852 he moved to Columbia, Ky., where 
he becam^e noted as one of the best lawyers in the 
State. In 1856 he was elected District or Circuit 
Judge, in which capacity lie served till July, 1861. 
I have already said that at the commencement of 
the rebellion he took a decided position, and can- 
vassed part of the State. He w^as tlie originator of 
the plan to arm the Home Guards of the State. 
These arms were styled Lincoln guns. Colonel 
Bramlette said it made no difference what they 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 77 

were called, tliey were the best and onlj argument 
for traitors. The possession of them was the means 
of keeping the secessionists of the State quiet, and 
the only thing that prevented civil war. Colonel 
Bramlette labored more faithfully and did more 
good for the Union cause than any man in the State. 
His reo-iment was ors-anized from the mountain 
counties. After leaving Camp Dick Kobinson, he 
did good service in Kentucky under General 
Thomas, and afterward in Tennessee and at Cor- 
inth under General Buell. He is tall and slender, 
has a Koman nose and eagle eye, a large head and 
prominent forehead. He is a man of fine intellect, 
and, like many other great men, is self-made. He 
has an unconquerable will, and is the bravest 
amono^ the brave. It is to be regretted that he did 
not have a position equal to his capacity. The 
Kentucky Legislature unanimously recommended 
him as a suitable person to be commissioned as a 
brigadier-general, and it is unfortunate that he did 
not receive the appointment. 



COLONEL T. T. GARRARD. 

Colonel Garrard organized the 6tli Kentucky 
regiment of infantry. He was an officer in the 
Mexican war, in which capacity he rendered good 
service. At the time of his commission as colonel 
lie was State senator. His regiment has seen 
much service. They were at Wildcat, and also 
with General Morgan at the Cumberland Gap. 



78 THE PATKIOTS AND GUEPwILLAS OF 

Tliey have had many skirmishes with the enemy. 
Colonel Garrard is considered a fine officer. 



COLONEL SPEED S. FEY. 

This officer organized the 4th regiment of Ken- 
tucky infantry. He is about forty years old, and 
rather heav}^ built ; is good natured and pleasant, 
cool and brave in battle, and an excellent officer. 
He was a captain in the Mexican war, and distin- 
guished himself at the battle of Buena Yista. He 
earned distinction also at the battle of Mill Spriugs, 
January lOth, 1862. General Zollicoffer was slain 
by him in this battle, and for his gallantry he. 
received a commission as brigadier-general. As 
such he has done excellent service under General 
Buell. 

COLONEL BIRD. 

This gentleman is a citizen of Tennessee. He 
was a farmer of considerable wealth, but, being 
loyal, was compelled to abandon his home and 
property. He bade farewell to his wife and chil- 
dren, and made his escape over the mountains to 
Kentucky. He was commissioned as colonel of 
the 1st East Tennessee regiment. 



COLONEL CARTER, 

Who commands the 2d East Tennessee regiment, 
is only known to me as a refugee from Tennessee, 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 79 

and a man of high standing at home. His regi- 
ment and that of Colonel Bird were organized at 
Camp Dick Robinson. I have already mentioned 
the services rendered by them. 

GENERAL CARTER 

"Was at this camp with the two Tennessee regi- 
ments. He is of a good family — a fine-looking 
man, and appears to be very attentive and indus- 
trious. He has been in the mountains with Gen- 
eral Morgan. I think he is an officer in the United 
States army or navy, perhaps a naval officer. 

COLONEL FRANK WOLFORD. 

Colonel Wolford is forty-five years old. He is 
heavy built, but not tall ; has black hair, a gray, 
restless eye, and a Roman nose ; dresses plainly, and 
is quite homely. He is a member of the Baptist 
Cliurch, and never drinks intoxicating liquors. He 
resides in Liberty, Ky., and is a lawyer of high 
standing. He is very effective before a jury. In 
society he is fond of a joke, and keeps everybody 
in his presence in good humor. He has been a 
member of the Kentucky Legislature, but is no 
politician, and is strongly opposed to the use of 
money or liquors in elections. He is a widower, 
his wife having died several years ago, leaving him 
three children, two boys and a girl. During the 
war with Mexico he raised a company, but as their 



80 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

services were not received, lie enlisted as a private 
in another company — tlie 2d Kentucky regiment, 
commanded by Colonels McKee and young Henry 
Clay. He v/as in the battle of Buena Vista, and 
near Coloijel Clay when he received his first wound. 
He called together a squad of soldiers, told them 
that they must save their Colonel, and directed 
two of them to take Colonel Clay in their arms, 
which they did, when the others formed a circle 
around them, and with their bayonets kept the 
Mexicans off. In this order they proceeded about 
half a mile, when they were compelled to abandon 
their gallant Colonel, some of the men being killed, 
and the circle broken. Wolford and one other sol- 
dier only of this squad made their escape. 

Colonel Wolford has always been an uncompro- 
mising Union man, even w^hen others were talking 
about the glorious results to be derived from a con- 
dition of neutrality, and the proud position Ken- 
tucky occupied — that while the storm was raging, 
and all was confusion and excitement on every side, 
Kentucky remained calm, and stood majestic, bid- 
ding defiance to the waves of passion that were 
surging and beating against her ship of state ; that 
Kentucky would become the most honored member 
of the confederacy. Colonel Wolford told them 
that this was very pretty talk, but as for him, he 
knew no neutrality ; the strife w^as between his 
country and traitors who were attempting to de- 
stroy it ; and if Kentucky permitted others to 
crush the rebellion and restore the Union with- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 81 

ont lier help, she would be the most dishonored 
State of the Union. 

In July he received a commission as colonel of 
cavalry, and at once set about to recruit his regi- 
ment. On August 3d, three companies of his regi- 
ment went into camp at Camp Dick llobinson. It 
was not long before his regiment numbered twelve 
companies. He is a brave, energetic officer, and 
restless unless in active service ; is very kind to 
his soldiers, and beloved by all of them. If there 
is any fighting to be done, he wants to do a part of 
it. He is perfectly cool upon the battle-field, not 
appearing to be the least excited. Ilis regiment 
has done service in all parts of Kentucky and Mid- 
dle Tennessee. The Colonel distinguished himself 
at the battles of Wild Cat, October 21st, 1861, Mill 
Springs, January 19th, 1862, and Lebanon, Tenn., 
May 5th, 1862, where he was severely wounded. 
Besides these battles, his regimedat has been in 
many skirmishes, and done good service as scouts. 

I will here introduce a letter Avritten to the 
Louisville Journal, February 26, 1862, which gives 
a characteristic yet truthful account of the services 
rendered by Colonel Wolford's regiment to that 
date. A 



" To the Editors of the ZouisviUe Journal: 

" Gentlemen : Colonel Wolford and his regi- 
ment have at last found a resting place. JSTo pick- 
ets out, no camp guard, yet restless and anxious to 
4* 



82 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

be on marcli to tlie South. This regiment has been 
on almost a continual scout for nearly six months 
past. They met the rebels first in an attempt to 
stop our arms at Lexington, and, headed by Col- 
onel Bramlette, by one decisive stroke put down 
all armed interference there. They marched to 
Mnnday's landing, and by that movement shoAved 
the difficulty of escaping to Zollicoffer at the Cum- 
berland Gap. They hastened to Frankfort to se- 
cure that city and arsenal, and, headed by Colonel 
Wolford and with Bramlette's infantry, terrified the 
secesh of ' Sweet Owen' to silence. They were 
then despatched to meet the advance of ZoUicofi'er's 
cavalry upon London, and "\yhen they reached that 
place the inhabitants had all fled, except one old 
lady, who came out clapping her hands and shout- 
ing, ' Glory to God, the country is saved ! Here is 
Colonel Wolford and his cavalry.' The people soon 
returned, when ke again fell back upon Camp Wild- 
cat, and, in connection with Garrard's regiment, for- 
tified that place. Li a few days he had a heavy 
skirmish at London with a double number, and 
drove them back in terror. We had hardly time to 
return and rest our horses and men, when Zollicofier 
marched ^3 to storm Camp Wildcat. We reached 
the works on Sabbath, and took the advance position 
with the 33d Lidiana, and there about seven hun- 
dred men of these two gallant regiments, with a 
few home guards, met the main attack of the enem}'- 
as they attempted to storm that point in order to 
shell our camp. Wolford's and Colonel Coburn's 



EAST ' TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 83 

Indiana regiments, both on foot and side by side, 
mingled their kindred blood in that short, decisive 
conflict. The other regiments would have doubt- 
less done as well, but these occupied the front and 
most exposed position. The enemy ever after were 
heard to say that they feared the ' Old Wolf^ with 
his Sharp's-rifle boys. This regiment are nearly 
all mountain boys, farmers' sons, quiet and orderly 
in camp, befriended by the mountain people, and 
welcome in every house, and known over all South- 
eastern Kentucky. After the Wildcat battle, all 
except two companies were sent to Somerset, and 
scouted down to Albany, and even over to Tennes- 
see. Captain Morrison and his company w^ere the 
flrst to pass into Tennessee of all the Union forces, 
when they broke up the secesh camp, McGinnis. 
After clearing the counties of Wayne and Clinton 
three times, they were ordered back with Bram- 
lette's and Hoskins's regiments to Somerset, and 
from there in a few days passed down to Columbia. 
From Columbia a part under Colonel Wolford re- 
turned to Waitesboro, and, after assisting to repel 
Zollicoffer, returned again to Columbia, where, after 
nearly four months' hard service, they were furnish- 
ed proper clothing for the first time, and two months' 
pay. After this, Lieutenant-Colonel Letcher, with 
half (six companies) of the regiment, was ordered to 
the Big Sandy to assist in driving back Marshall's 
forces, and these companies will rejoin us again 
this week here. From the fact that this reo-iment 
has been divided into three divisions, and were the 



84 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

only cavalry in Southeastern Kentucky to bear des- 
patches, and often passed from one division to the 
other, some think they have no discipline or order, 
which is a secesh falsehood, and used by them be- 
cause they wished to injure, and, if possible, get the 
regiment changed into infantry. But if they would 
know how this regiment is regarded by the Union 
citizens, let them go to those parts where they have 
been, and where all Union citizens welcomed them 
as their protectors and friends. Wolford and his 
regiment are more dreaded by the enemy in East 
Tennessee than all the rest, the prisoners tell us. 
And ZollicoiFer was in the continual habit of charg- 
ing them, when he sent them out on reconnoissance 
from Mill Spring toward Green river, ' to keep a 
sharp lookout, or the Old Wolf would get them cer- 
tain.' With only four companies he occupied camp 
Williams, within twenty-five miles of the whole 
force of ZollicoiFer, for over a month, coming in al- 
most daily conflicts with some of his pickets. His 
prisoners tell us they were awfully afraid of our 
pickets, as we carried such long-ranged, deadly 
guns. And when their forage trains came over 
toward Green river, the Union men would hide, and 
the women stand in the door and tell them how glad 
they were that they were going over there, ' for the 
Old Wolf would be sure to get them.' And under 
that apprehension they would often turn back or go 
some other course for forage. They say they did 
not like to meet men who carried young cannons on 
their horses. They had heard their balls whistle at 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 85 

Wildcat, and did not wish to hear them again. 
They always reconnoitered in large force, and at 
every few miles inquired for Wolford's cavalry ; 
and, Ave think, the secrecy of General Thomas's 
success was owing in part to their dread of meeting 
him. The two companies at Somerset never had 
much chance, as they were always met by five 
times their number when on picket, and they often 
met and fought ten times their own number, falling 
back generally in good order to the encampment. 

■ *' There has been hardly a battle or skirmish in 
all Eastern or Southeastern Kentucky but what 
some of this regiment were in it, fighting either on 
horseback or afoot, as they could do the best serv- 
ice. They do not, howevei', pretend to be a well- 
drilled regiment, nor are they all armed as regular 
cavalry. But in a kind of 'half-horse and half- 
alligator fight' they are hard to beat. Their com- 
panies are drilled in company drill, and, as compa- 
nies, in your own graphic language, are ' li — I on a 
scouts The Colonel is the idol of his men, and, as 
a quiet, plain, sensible, generous. Christian gentle- 
man, is an example to all in like position. A law- 
yer by profession, and a soldier who, when his 
company (of whicli he was captain) was not re- 
ceived in the Mexican war, enlisted in another as a 
private and served with honor, he deserves the high 
position he holds in the service and in the people's 
afifections. He and his brave boys did tlieir duty 
in the battle at Logan's Fields and Mill Spring, as 
all know. In the advance on horses, and then with 



86 THE PATKIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 

the gallant Indiana 10th and Kentucky 4th on foot, 
they fought on until the victory was complete. 

" They claim no precedence over the other brave 
regiments in that battle, where all did their duty 
nobly and welL But it is a wonderful coincidence 
that these same cavalry boys, with another Indiana 
regiment, were again in the advance as at Wildcat, 
and thus, as brothers from sister States, cemented 
their love of the union with their blood. They fell 
side by side — they fill a common and a hallowed 
grave ; and let Indiana and Kentucky, Ohio and 
Minnesota, remember their brave sons sleeping on" 
the banks of the Cumberland, and let no prejudice 
jar the living w4io have so glorious a common heri- 
tage there. * Kikkwood. 

"P. S. One of our companies has just returned 
from detached service in Clinton county. They re- 
port the cavalry of McHenry and Bledsoe as still 
stealing horses and committing outrages in that 
county. They had a skirmish with a party headed 
by Champ Ferguson, in which they killed one and 
mortally wounded three more, as we learned, and 
got six horses ; one of ours only slightly wounded. 
The forces of Mill Spring, after their defeat, all fled 
home in utter confusion, and no company of all that 
army can be gathered together again. K." 

It may not be out of place here to give a few 
anecdotes of Colonel Wolford, which may prove 
interesting to the reader. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 87 

General Is'elson had great confidence in Colonel 
"Wolford, and always treated liim kindly. On one 
occasion, in the Colonel^s absence, General Nelson 
visited the cavalry camp, and, not finding things 
to suit him, cursed both ofiicers and privates. This 
created considerable excitement, as the Kentuckians 
did not like to be talked to in that manner. On 
Colonel Wolford's retm-n to camp he was informed 
of the occurrence. He went to General Nelson, and 
told him that he understood he had cursed his 
officers and men. General Nelson said that it w^as 
true ; that he could not get them to do right, and 
that they would not obey his orders. Col. Wol- 
ford said he did not wish any one to curse his sol- 
diers — that he would as soon be cursed himself. 
General Nelson said he would not curse them if the 
Colonel would make them obey. The Colonel re- 
plied that he could do that. General Nelson then 
remarked, " AYell, Colonel, if you will, I will not 
go in your camp anymore." The General kept his 
word. "When he spoke of them afterward he would 
say, "They don't like discipline, but they will fight 
like h—l." 

In the latter part of September, 1861, Colonel 
Wolford, with a portion of his regiment, was march- 
ing in the direction of London, Ky., to meet the 
advance of General Zollicoffer's forces, who were 
then moving into Kentucky. A lady ran to the 
roadside, shouting, '' Glory to God ! I thank God 
that 1 have been spared to see the sight." Colonel 
Wolford in a loud voice gave the command, " Col- 



88 THE PATEIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

umn, halt ! " and rode to the lady, and said, 
" Are you a single lady, a married woman, or a 
widow?" She said, " I am a widow." Said the 
Colonel, " I am a widower, and if you are willing, 
we will get married when the war is over." She 
said, " Agreed." He continued, " You must get 
you a pair of shoes before the wedding." ^' I have a 
pair of shoes," she replied, '' but the rebel scamps 
didn't give me time to put them on." Said the 
Colonel, " Well, give me your hand." They shook 
hands and separated. Colonel Wolford rode back 
and gave the word of command, *' Forward, march ! " 
and moved away. The Colonel said he would 
know the lady if he was to see her again, but for- 
got to ask her name ; and is afraid that he will have 
some difficulty in finding her at the end of the waj\ 
In April, 1862, Colonel Wolford, with a portion 
of his regiment, marched from Glasgow, Ky., to 
Celina, Tenn., expecting to meet a rebel force re- 
ported to be in that vicinity : they were not found, 
however. Wliile his forces were crossing the Cum- 
berland river, the men of the town fled ; but the 
women collected in squads, and from their actions 
Colonel Wolford supposed they were alarmed. 
He approached them calmly, and told them not to 
be alarmed, as he came to make war upon soldiers, 
and not upon defenceless women. One of them 
replied, " Colonel, I am not afraid of you or any of 
your soldiers ; and I don't suppose these ladies are; 
if so, they are not genuine Southern ladies." The 
Colonel replied that he was glad to know they were 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 89 

not alarmed, and left, without attempting to quiet 
any other ladies of that town. 

While Colonel Wolford's regiment was stationed 
at Camp Dick Kobinson, a citizen inquired for him. 
An officer pointed him to the Colonel. The citizen 
said, " Do you mean to insult me ? I want to see 
the Colonel. I want no burlesque." He expected 
to see a fine-looking officer, dressed in splendid 
uniform, but was disappointed, as Colonel Wolford 
is an unhandsome man, dressing in j^lain attire. 

Colonel Wolford is very strict about interfering 
witli citizens or their private property, maintaining 
that they should be respected. He is kind to pris- 
oners : no officer in the army shows more attention 
to the sick and wounded. He is a pure patriot. 
It was reported to him that he was about to be 
removed from his command. He said, " They 
can't prevent me from fighting. I will go in the 
ranks." 



90 THE PATKIOTS A:ND GUEKILLAS OF 



CHAPTEE lY. 

THE WRITER'S EXPERIEXCE IN THE ARMY. 

In addition to what lias already been said, I 
will give a sketch of some things that came under 
my observation while in the army. I do not pre- 
tend to furnish a detailed account of all that occur- 
red in my one year's campaign, but simply a 
synopsis of what passed under my notice, not 
already alluded to. 

In the spring of 1861 the State of Tennessee 
seceded from the Union ; or rather, the Legislature 
and Governor Harris passed an ordinance of seces- 
sion, and formed a league with the cotton States, 
contrary to the expressed will of the people. Soon 
after this a squadron of cavalry and a body of in- 
fantry were sent to Fentress county, Tenn., adjoin- 
ing Clinton county, Ky. The citizens of the latter 
county considered this as a menace ; but they were 
entirely helpless. 'No United States troops were in 
Kentucky, nor were any likely to be, as it was said 
that Kentucky's neutrality would be respected. 
The State authorities were known as secession 
sympathizers : General S. B. Buckner, commander 
of the State Guard, could not be relied upon. Here 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 91 

was a lojal people, who at that time could not re- 
ceive the protection of either State or National 
Government ! 

The citizens of Clinton county concluded to 
prepare for their own defence, if they should be 
attacked. A public meeting was held. Two com- 
panies were organized, one cavalry and one infan- 
try. William A. Hoskins was elected captain of 
the cavalry, J. A. Brents first lieutenant, J. P. 
Pickens second lieutenant, and J. A. Morrison third 
lieutenant. Captain Hoskins was directed to pro- 
cure arms for these companies immediately. He 
proceeded to Cincinnati, and there obtained from 
General William Nelson one hundred muskets for 
the infantry, but could not procure arms for the 
cavalry. He visited Washington City, but met 
with no better success there ; cavalry arms could 
not be obtained. However, his visit to Washing- 
ton resulted in great good to the cause. General 
William Nelson has received the credit of arming 
the Home Guards of Kentucky, which kept the 
secessionists of that State quiet, and establishing 
Camp Dick Pobinson. He is justly entitled to a 
portion of the honor, but not all. Colonel Thomas 
E. Bramlette first suggested that the citizens should 
organize companies and procure arms from the Gov- 
ernment, and was instrumental in obtaining a large 
number of '* Lincoln guns." General Nelson, who 
was then a lieutenant in the navy, was appointed 
agent by the authorities at AYashington to deliver 
these arms. He accompanied Captain Hoskins to 



92 THE PATRIOTS AND GUKRILLA8 OF 

Wasliiijgton. Captain Iloskins represented tlie 
condition of affairs. lie stated that tlie seces- 
sionists were collecting troops U23on the border of 
Kentucky ; that the citizens along the border were 
entirely defenceless ; that nothing could be expect- 
ed froui the State Government ; and that the citi- 
zens had determined to defend themselves if they 
could procure arms. He added that the people of 
the mountain counties and along the border were 
entirely loyal ; that they had not declared and did 
not intend to declare neutrality between their 
country and those that were attempting its destruc- 
tion ; and that they were anxious to enlist in the 
Union army, and desired an opportunity to do so; 
and further, that as loyal citizens they asked the 
aid and protection of the Government. The result 
of this conference is well known ; it was at once 
decided to establish a camp in Kentucky for the 
collection and instruction of Kentucky troops. 
Lieutenant l^elson was appointed a brigadier-gen- 
eral, and given the command of this camp. Cap- 
tain W. A. Hoskins was appointed quartermaster, 
and was also given control of the commissary and 
ordnance departments for a time, and directed to 
procure stores, arms, &c. Thomas E. Bramlette 
and others were commissioned as colonels, and 
authorized to raise regiments of Kentucky troops 
for United States service. 

Captain Hoskins returned home about the 15th 
July, and reported that he could procure no arms 
for the cavalry company, but that a camp for in- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 93 

struction would be immediately established. Lieu- 
tenants Brents and Morrison engaged in the work, 
and on the 3d of August had a fall company of 
cavalry ready to start for camp. This was a great 
day in Albany. The entire population of the 
county had assembled. JSTo common occurrence 
had brought them together. They had assembled 
to bid farewell to eighty-five citizens who had en- 
listed in the Union army for three years. It was 
the first company to depart from that section. 
Some had assembled through curiosity ; but many 
had come to bid farewell to husbands, fathers, sons, 
brothers, and relatives. The company departed 
amidst the tears and shouts of the citizens. One 
incident occurred during the day worth recording. 
The notorious Champ Ferguson was there. He 
made a remark about the soldiers that was not 
relished by one Milton Bunch, who heard it. 
Bunch proceeded quietly and procured a gun, and 
was in the act of shooting him, when a citizen 
noticed it, and knocked the gun up, thereby saving 
Champ's life. 

The company proceeded to Camp Dick Robin- 
son, a distance of about one hundred miles, through 
Monticello, Somerset, Crab Orchard, and Lancaster, 
where they arrived on the 6th. This march was 
one continual ovation. They were welcomed all 
along the route. The citizens of Monticello and 
Somerset, where they stayed during the nights of 
the 3d and ttth, received and feasted them like 
lords ; men and horses fared bounteonslv. These 



94 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

were the first troops that passed through this conn- 
try, and it was something new to the people. But 
this was not the only reason why they were so hos- 
pitable, l^early the entire distance is through a 
mountainous portion of the State, where the citizens 
have alwa^'s been loyal. The blue-grass region and 
the wealthier portion of the State have done well. 
They have furnished a large number of soldiers and 
many gallant ofiicers, such as Generals Rousseau, 
Jackson, Boyle, and others. They also gave the 
rebels John C. Breckinridge, Simon B. Buckner, 
William Preston, Roger Hanson, William E. Simms, 
Henry C. Burnett, Humj^hrey Marshall, and many 
others. But the mountain counties were united, 
and, as soon as they had an opportunity, rushed to 
arms in defence of the Government and the great 
principles of human liberty. It is true a few moun- 
tain men joined the rebellion, but they were gen- 
erally very bad characters. James S. Chrisman is 
about the only prominent man in that part of the 
State who joined the confederates, and he was a 
corrupt, unprincipled fellow. Let me notice what 
a few of these counties liave done. 

Clinton county (as I have before stated), with 
only nine hundred voters, furnished six hundred 
soldiers. Colonel William A. Hoskins, of the 12th 
Kentucky regiment, a gallant officer, is from this 
county : also Captain John A. Morrison, who has 
distinguished himself for courage, energy, and skill, 
and other officers. The writer, who served as a 
major one year, hails from this county. Cumber- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 95 

land, another small county, did nearly as well as 
Clinton in furnishing men. Colonel D. E. Hag- 
gard, and Majors Mike H. Ousley and Thomas C. 
"Winfrey, all of the 5th Kentucky cavalry, are from 
Cumberland. Colonel Thomas E. Bramlette, one 
of the noblest and most intellectual men in Ken- 
tucky, Colonel McKee, and Major W. H. Spencer 
and many other officers, are from Adair county; 
also a large number of soldiers. Pulaski county 
furnished over a thousand men. Wayne, Russell, 
and other counties did welL Nearly every able- 
bodied man in Casey county volunteered. The 
gallant Colonel AYolford is from this county. I 
have only mentioned a few counties in the Fourth 
Congressional District. But I must return. 

Upon our arrival at Camp Dick Robinson, we 
found no tents, and not many military stores, as it 
would have been dangerous to collect any amount 
of stores without troops to guard them. For a week 
or more we had to take mother earth for abed, and 
open space as a covering. Recruits were daily ar- 
riving. East-Tennesseeans soon began to come in. 
Pickets were kept on all the roads leading to the 
camp, as it was thought we might be attacked by 
the State Guards under General Simon B. Buckner. 
It was also rumored that John C. Breckinridge was 
collecting a force to attack the camp. No attempt 
however was made ; although we had very fre- 
quently much amusement, caused by raw soldiers 
on picket duty getting alarmed, and running into 
camp and reporting a large force at hand. Then 



96 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

what confusion — what stirrino; and movinor from 
2)oint to point — drums beating — marching and 
counter-marching ! Excited soldiers woukl rush to 
the warehouse, and break open boxes to procure 
arms and amunitipn. During these scenes General 
J^elson's large form could be seen on his charger, 
rushing from point to point, swearing like a toper, 
and attempting to quiet and regulate the excited 
soldiers, who every moment expected to be attack- 
ed. His voice could be heard abov^ the din and 
noise caused by the confusion. These scenes were 
quite laughable. They were sometimes caused in- 
tentionally by officers, that the soldiers might be- 
come disciplined and experienced. The cavalry 
generally got the worst of it. They would often be 
sent out to hunt the enemy, but were never so for- 
tunate as to find a foe worthy of their steel. Often 
would they be aroused at the hour of midnight, 
mount their horses, and ride over hills and down 
dark valleys, and return to camp just at the break 
of day. Sometimes the guard at the bridge over 
the Kentucky river, ten miles distant, would send 
word to camp that they were about to be attacked. 
The cavalry would be aroused and sent to their as- 
sistance, but on reaching the bridge would find all 
quiet, the alarm having been caused by ahorse run- 
ning through the woods, or something of like char- 
acter. 

In August a report came that a large number 
of arms en route for camp had been stopped at Lex- 
ington by the secessionists. Colonel Wolford being 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY 97 

absent, Colonel Thomas E. Bramlette, of the 3d 
Kentucky infantry, and Lieutenant-Colonel John 
W, Letcher, took command of the cavalry, and, with 
a large number of wagons, proceeded to Lexing- 
ton for the purpose of procuring and bringing away 
the arms. The little band marched through the 
streets of Lexington, and proceeded quietly to the 
railroad depot, where they found the arms. On 
their arrival there, they heard a bugle sound for the 
assembling of two companies of cavalry claiming to 
be Home Guards, but who were rebels in disguise. 
The Union forces were well armed, and had been 
thoroughly drilled. Colonel Bramlette formed his 
men in front of the depot, told them to stand firm, 
and, if attacked, reserve their fire until their ene- 
mies were in good range, then discharge their 
pieces and make a fierce charge upon them. A 
squad at Lexington also ran out their cannon and 
joined Colonel Bramlette. The secessionists con- 
cluded it would be a bad job, and no attack was 
made. John C. Breckinridge sent a messenger to 
Colonel Bramlette, informing him that, as Kentucky 
had declared neutrality, his (Bramlette's) action was 
a violation of that neutrality, and an indignity offered 
to the peaceable and quiet citizens of Lexington ; 
find as he (Breckinridge) did not want any blood- 
shed, he requested Colonel Bramlette with his forces 
to retire from the city. Colonel Bramlette replied 
that Kentucky was in the Union, and he thought 
her loyal sons had a right to proceed to Lexington 
or elsewhere upon their own business; that they 



98 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF* 

did not come to make an attack npon any one, but 
simply to procure arms that had been stopped at 
the depot ; that they intended to have them before 
they left the cit}^ ; and that his soldiers would de- 
fend themselves if attacked. Breckinridge then 
sent word, that if he would move his forces beyond 
the limits of the city he (Breckinridge) would have 
the arms sent to him. Colonel Bramlette, although 
a member of the church, sent word, it is said, to 
Breckinridge, " to go to h — 1 ; that he knew his own 
business, and could attend to it better than traitors." 
He received no further message from Breckinridge, 
but quietly loaded his wagons w^ith the arms and 
ammunition, and left the city without further inter- 
ruption. 

It may be asked, why Colonel Bramlette did not 
attack Breckinridge and his forces. 1. Breckinridge 
denied being disloyal ; he also denied stopping the 
arms. 2. Neutrality had been declared in Ken- 
tucky, and Union men had opposed the formation 
of a camp in the State (among them distinguished 
and influential citizens), and to have become the 
aggressive party at that time would liave seriously 
endangered the Union cause in Kentucky. Hence 
Colonel Bramlette had received orders to act only 
on the defensive. 

A short time after this a portion of the cavalry 
marched to Clay's ferry, Madison count}^, to inter- 
cept a party of rebels who were making tlieir way 
South. As the rebels had taken another road and 
made their escape, the cavalry returned to camp. 



EAST TJCNNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 99 

Kothing remarkable occurred on this trip. The 
road travelled was through a very uneven- portion 
of the country. We passed through Cassius M. 
Clay's farm. He is very wealthy, and has a large, 
rich, and well-cultivated farm, well stocked with 
the finest cattle in the United States. Madison 
counf^^ is one of the wealthiest counties in the 
State. Cassius M. Clay has been a bold thinker, 
and always ready to speak his sentiments. lie has 
met with considerable opposition and persecution ; 
and at one time had a printing press destroyed at 
Lexington. His life has often been threatened, and 
he has been notified to quit the State. But nothing 
could daunt him; he was always ready to and al- 
ways did defend himself. In 1851 he was a candi- 
date for Governor, and canvassed the State in favor 
of emancipation, but received few votes. He may 
have faults, but cowardice in any form is not one 
of them. 

In September a portion of the cavalry marched 
through Crab Orchard and Mount Yernon, and 
crossing Rockcastle river, established Camp Wild- 
cat, about three miles south of the riv«jr, and pre- 
pared hasty woi'ks of defence, as General Zollicoffer 
was then at Barboursville, expecting to march 
against the camp. While here, I took thirty men 
and proceeded to London, twenty miles distant, and 
midway between Barboursville and our camp. 
Upon our arrival in the town we found tlic inhabit- 
ants greatly excited. They had just received word 
that a part of General Zollicoffer's forces were on 



100 THE PATKIOTS AXD GUEJKILLAS OF 

the march, and were expected there that night. 
Captain Brown had collected two or three hundred 
citizens, who were armed with muskets, and had 
taken a position about two miles south of the town, 
with the intention of fighting the rebels if they 
should come. After we had partaken of a bounti- 
ful supper at the hotel, I visited Captain Brown's 
camp, consulted with him as to his arrangements, 
returned to town, and with my men took lodgings 
in the court house for the night. The enemy did 
not make his appearance, and next morning, after 
eating a warm breakfast, w^e returned to camp with- 
out anything occurring worthy of particular notice, 
except the hospitality and loyalty of these mountain 
people. They could not be kind enough to a Union 
soldier. Judge Pearl had made the arrangements 
at the hotel for our accommodation and comfort. 
When we decided to stay at the court house, he 
made the soldiers go to his residence and take beds 
and bed clothing, that they might rest more com- 
fortably. He paid for both supper and breakfast 
with money from his own pocket. I never met with 
a more kind-hearted gentleman in my life. He is 
one of nature's noblemen. These mountain citizens, 
besides being brave and loyal, are kind and noble 
without exception. The citizens of BarbOursville 
attacked General" ZollicofFer's advance but a few 
days before this, killing and wounding many of his 
men, with a loss of one man on their side. 

A few days after this visit. Colonel Wolford, 
with sixty men, marched to London to reconnoitre, 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 101 

and assist Captain Brown's forces, if :^ecessary. 
On his arrival he met Brown's men Heeing before 
General Zolli coffer's Ibrces. Colonel Wolford got 
his little squad into line and awaited the approach 
of the enemy. Tliey were soon close upon him, 
when he ordered his men to fire. They poured 
a deliberate volley into their ranks, killing and 
wounding several. The others fell back upon tlie 
main force. General Zollicoffer knew that this 
assault did not come from Captain Brown's men, 
and being afraid of an ambush, or for some other 
reason, made no further attack, but retired to Bar- 
boursville. Colonel Wolford returned to Camp 
Wildcat. 

About the 1st of October, the 6th Kentucky 
regiment, commanded by Colonel T. T. Garrard, 
arrived at Camp Wildcat, when Colonel AVolford 
and his cavalry returned to Camp Dick Eobin- 
son. A few days before this, however, one com- 
pany (Captain Morrison's) left for Albany, Ivy., 
The rebel troops had invaded Kentucky from Fen- 
tress county, and captured several home-guard guns 
at Albany. This company, which was raised in Clin- 
ton county, was permitted to return and assist in 
driving the invaders from their homes. Colonel 
Hoskins, a citizen of the county, also returned 
home to organize the Home Guards for the defence 
of that part of the country. When this little band 
arrived at Albany, they found that the enemy had 
retired into Tennessee, but were expected to return. 
They numbered about one thousand. Colonel Hos- 



102 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

kins called upon the Home Gnards to assist him in 
defending the place, and his call was responded to 
by the Home Guards of Clinton, Eussell, Casey, 
and Adair. This was a rich campaign. A light 
was expected every hour, and all were excited. 
We had several alarms of a character with those 
occnrring at Camp Dick Robinson, but no attack 
was made. The rebels became alarmed and retired 
to Monroe, Overton county, where they commenced 
fortifying. Colonel Hoskins grew impatient at not 
being attacked, and concluded to become the 
aggressor. Tiie rebels had established a camp at 
Travisville, and Colonel Hoskins ordered Captain 
Morrison to take his company and attack them. 
The captain, a gallant and brave officer, being quite 
anxious for the expedition, was not long in get- 
ting away. He proceeded to the camp, a distance 
of fifteen miles, and made the attack in a fierce and 
determined manner. The rebels soon fled, leaving 
horses, saddles, guns, pistols, papers, &c., behind. 
Not one of Captain Morrison's men was hurt, but 
the rebels lost several. Among the killed was 
James M. Saufley, who has already been noticed. 
Poor fellow ! a victim to Chrisman's treachery. 

Captain Morrison returned to Albany the same 
day, with a considerable amount of captured prop- 
erty. James Ferguson was in this engagement, 
and it was generally supposed that he killed Sauf- 
ley. The Home Guards of the adjoining counties 
got weary of waiting for an attack from the enemy, 
and returned home; and as Colonel Hoskins's forces 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 103 

became weaker every clay, he determined to fall 
back to the north bank of Cumberland river, which 
he did, after remaining at Albany nearly two weeks. 
Colonel Wolford, with two companies of cavalry, 
arrived at Albany two days before Colonel Hoskins 
abandoned his camp ; but, as he had instructions 
to return to Camp Dick Robinson within a certain 
time, could render Colonel Hoskins little assistance. 
He however concluded to bring on a fight before 
he returned, if the enemy was in striking distance. 
He marched to the Tennessee line, and ascertain- 
ing that the enemy were not within six hours' ride, 
concluded to return. While on this expedition, 
Captain Morrison was riding in the rear of our 
forces, and was attacked by a party who fired 
upon him several times. He returned the fire 
with such promptness and precision that they broke 
and fled, leaving him " master of the situation." 

There were two things connected with this 
campaign worthy of notice. 1. The citizens of 
this section were loyal, and willing to repel the in- 
vasion of their State, although they were not in 
any army. 2. Captain Morrison's company of the 
1st regiment of Kentucky cavalry were the first 
Union troops on the soil of Tennessee after the 
commencement of the rebellion ; and this, the first 
expedition to that State, was entirely successful. 
Colonel Hoskins and Captain Morrison, and their 
brave troops, are entitled to the honor of winning 
the first victory gained by Union troops in Ten- 
nessee. 



104 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

Colonel Hoskins had been commissioned as 
colonel, and authorized to raise a regiment of vol- 
unteers just before his departure to Albany. After 
his return he established a camp on the Cumber- 
land river, near Somerset, and was soon at the 
head of a fine body of troops. 

I returned to Camp Dick Robinson, where the 
cavalry remained a few days. Word came to Gen- 
eral Thomas, who had been in command at this 
camp since 15th September, that General Zollicof- 
fer was advancing upon Camp Wildcat, and would 
crush Colonel Garrard unless he received assistance 
without delay. The 33d Indiana and the 14:th and 
17th Ohio regiments, which had arrived only a 
few days before, received orders to march without 
delay to Camp Wildcat. On the next day the two 
Tennessee regiments also received orders to march. 
The departure of these patriotic Tennesseeans in 
the direction of their homes has already been de- 
scribed. In a few days the 3d Kentucky regiment 
likewise marched in the same direction, and on 
Saturday, the 19th of October, was followed by 
Colonel Wolford, at the head of a portion of his 
regiment, without tents or camp equipage of any 
kind, except two or three wagons loaded with pro- 
visions. General Albin Schoepf had just arrived 
at Camp Dick Robinson, and received orders to 
take command of the forces at Camp Wildcat. So 
he set out with Colonel Wolford's cavalry. We 
travelled until about ten o'clock p. m., when we 
halted, dismounted, and turned in for the remain- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 105 

der of the night. Many lay down upon the cold 
ground without any fire or covering except one 
blanket ; others built fires before attempting to 
sleep. General Schoepf busied himself in collect- 
ing old stumps and assisting in building a fire ; 
after which he spread his blanket before the fire, 
and was soon asleep. Early in the morning we 
were airain on the march — halted and took break- 
fast (a cracker and a slice of bacon) about nine 
o'clock — resumed the march, and reached Camp 
Wildcat Sunday evening, abont the same time that 
the Indiana and Ohio regiments arrived. Through- 
out the day reports reached ms that General ZoUi- 
cofi'er had attacked Garrard, and that they were 
fighting. One lady came out to the road, greatly 
excited, saying that they were engaged, and that 
it was a great shame to leave so gallant a regiment 
as Garrard's alone to be cut to pieces ; that if she 
had a musket she ^vould go herself to their assist- 
ance. The ladies of Mount Yernon waved their 
handkerchiefs at ns, bnt expressed doubts as to our 
success. Colonel Wolford said, "Ladies, w^e are 
goiug to have a fight certain, and just as sure as 
the sun rises to-morrow morning we will be victo- 
rious : for God is on our side." 

When we arrived at camp no attack had been 
made, though one had been expected for two or 
three days, and skirmishing had been going on 
meanwhile. A portion of the cavalry remained 
during the night in the face of the enemy. On 
Monday morning an attack was expected. All 
5* 



106 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEKILLAb OF 

were on the alert ; several hours passed away, yet 
no attack was made, and it was concluded that 
none would be made that day. The cavalry re- 
tired to the rear to get breakfast and feed their 
horses. The men had just commenced broiling 
their bacon, when word came that the enemy was 
advancing. Colonel Wolford was ordered to march 
to the hill, about three fourths of a mile from the 
main body, with his men dismounted, and assist 
Colonel Colburn to hold the hill at all hazards. We 
had not been in position long before two regiments 
of rebel troops advanced against us. About three 
hundred and fifty of ike 33d Indiana regiment and 
three hundred and fifty of the cavalry were the only 
forces to repel this attack. But nobly did the Ken- 
tuckians and Indianians stand to their post. The 
latter were trained troops, and fired volleys in quick 
succession. The Kentuckians were not so well 
drilled, but made '' pretty music " with their rifles. 
This was something more than the rebels expected, 
who were not looking for such determined resist- 
ance ; they broke and fled in confusion, leaving a 
large number of dead upon the field and a portion 
of their wounded. Our loss was small. In the 
evening the rebels made an attack upon the right 
wing, under command of Colonel Garrard, but 
were repulsed with considerable loss. Daring the 
night General Zollicoflfer retreated in the direction 
of London. 

While the battle was in progress Coloned Wol- 
ford walked along the lines, perfectly cool and self- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. lOT 

possessed, encouraging his men. Captain Alex- 
ander, of the cavaby, distinguished himself for 
coolness and bravery. Captain Faulkner, with a 
squadron of Home Guards, joined the cavalry, and 
rendered good service. Colonel Colburn (now 
brigadier-general) commanded the Indianians. 
General Schoepf received considerable praise for 
good generalship in the selection of points of de- 
fence and the wise distribution of his troops, al- 
though he had only reached the camp the evening 
before. On Sunday, before any reenforcements 
arrived. General ZollicoiFer sent a si)y into the 
Union, camp, who, after visiting and examining the 
camp, returned and reported no troops there, ex- 
cept one regiment. General ZollicofFer, therefore, 
was greatly surprised, when he made the attack, to 
find such determined resistance and so many troops. 
He whipped the spy nearly to death ; but the poor 
fellow had told the truth, as there was only one 
regiment in camp at the time he left. It was re- 
ported that General ZollicofFer said that Colonel 
Garrard had the largest regiment he ever had any- 
thing to do with. The cavalry reconnoitered and 
watched the enemy for the two following days, 
when they returned to Camp Dick Kobinson. They 
had been in active service for two months and a 
half, without being completely organized, or even 
mustered into the United States service. They were 
not regularly mustered in until the 28th of October, 
1861. The following is a list of the officers : 



108 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

Frank. Wolford, Colonel. John W. Letcher, 
Lieut.-Colonel. Francis M. Ilelveti, 1st Major. 
John A. Brents, 2d Major. William A. Coffey, 3d 
Major. J. A. Brady, Surgeon, J. C. Eiffe, Assist- 
ant Surgeon. B, D. Owens, Hospital Steward. 
Silas Adams, Quartermaster. W. D. Carpenter, 
Quartermaster Sergeant. W. H. Honnell, Chap- 
lain. George W. Brye, Adjutant. Clinton Hock- 
er, Commissary Sergeant. 

Company A. — George W. Sweeny, Captain. 
Silas Adams, 1st Lieutenant. F. M. Wolford, 2d 
Lieutenant. 

Company B. — William Rains, Captain. George 
AY. Drye, 1st Lieutenant. Stephen Coppage, 2d 
Lieutenant. 

Company C. — John A. Morrison, Captain. J. 
P. Miller, 1st Lieutenant. William Perkins, 2d 
Lieutenant. 

Company D. — George Coppage, Captain. Rich- 
ard Yandike, 1st Lieutenant. Samuel M. Boone, 
2d Lieutenant. 

Company E. — Boston Dillon, Captain. 

Dillon, 1st Lieutenant. William P. Ballard, 2d 
Lieutenant. 

Company F. — J. W. Jenkins, Captain. George 
C. Jenkins, 1st Lieutenant. Claiborne Blane, 2d 
Lieutenant. 

Company G, — ^Thornton F. Hackley, Captain. 
J. D. Burton, 1st Lieutenant. Henry S. Robson, 
2d Lieutenant. 

Company H. — Frank. N. Alexander, Captain. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 109 

Charles W. Hiiffaker, 1st Lieutenant. James K. 
Dick, 2d. Lieutenant. 

Company I. — John Smith, Captain, Mays, 

1st Lieutenant. James S. Pankey, 2d Lieutenant. 

Company J, — Jesse M. Carter, Captain. 

Keene, 1st Lieutenant. Merideth Martin, 2d 
Lieutenant. 

Company K. — ]S"elson Burress, Captain. 

, 1st Lieutenant. Hill, 2d Lieutenant. 



Company L. — William IST. Owens, Captain. 

Robert N. Griffin, 1st Lieutenant. Robinson, 

2d Lieutenant. 

This was the organization, at that time, of the 
1st Regiment of Kentucky cavalry. Several changes 
have taken place since : Major J. A. Brents resigned, 
and Captain Wm. N. Owens was appointed in his 
place. Lieutenant Silas Adams became captain of 

Company C, and Blackford quartermaster. 

Lieutenant Drye became captain of Company B, 
and Lieutenant Pankey, adjutant. Lieutenant Mil- 
ler was killed in battle, and Sergeant Carr appoint- 
ed a lieutenant in Company C. Lieutenant Robson 
resigned, and W. D. Carpenter was appointed, in 
Company G. Lieutenant Hill resigned, and Ser- 
geant Roland was appointed, in Company K. 
Sergeant Lockett was appointed captain of Com- 
pany L, and Sergeant Fishback appointed a lieu- 
tenant. Lieutenant Griffin resigned. 

The organization was then complete. The 3d 
Kentuckians and our regiment were ordered to 
Waitsboro, on the Cumberland river, south of 



110 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEFwILLAS OF 

Somerset, except two companies of our cavalry 
ordered to Wildcat. After a few days' march 
through rain and mud we reached the designated 
spot. Colonel Hoskins had recruited and organ- 
ized a splendid regiment at this camp. There were 
now three regiments here, commanded by three as 
gallant colonels as were in the Held. The rebels had 

CD 

established camps in Fentress and Overton coun- 
ties, Tenn., and were continually making raids into 
Kentucky, taking property, arresting citizens, &c. 
They had been so far north as Monticello. They 
had two regiments of infantry and perhaps a thou- 
sand cavalry, but no artillery. We had two regi- 
ments of infantry, one of cavalry, and a section of 
artillery. Our colonels were anxious to move 
against them. Colonel Wolford took a part of his 
command, and, crossing Cumberland river, pro- 
ceeded to Monticello, a distance of twenty miles, 
but too late to meet the rebel cavalry, Avho had left 
the day before. He ascertained the position and 
number of the enemy, and returned to camp. He 
reported to General Thomas, who was then at Crab 
Orchard. He also stated our forces, and ability to 
whip the enemy, and thereby protect a loyal peo- 
ple, and requested permission to move against 
them. In a few days he received an order from 
General Thomas, which permitted him to proceed 
as far as Old Monroe, Tenn., and disperse the ene- 
my, provided he could do so without falling into an 
ambush or endangering his own command. Colonel 
Bramlette being the senior colonel, the order was 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. Ill 

shown him. Colonel Bramlette remarked, *'It is 
an order for ns all to go." Preparations were im- 
mediately commenced for the expedition. Colonel 
Wolford was soon on the road with his command. 
He proceeded to Monticello, and there halted until 
the infantry could come up. Captain Alexander 
moved nearly due south with his company to the 
State line ; Captain Morrison proceeded to Albany, 
and drove the rebel advance back into Tennessee. 
These companies returned to Monticello the follow- 
ing, day and reported. The entire command was in 
the best humor and impatient. The infantry was 
well on the way. Preparations were being made 
for a further move, when an orderly came from 
General Thomas with an order for the entire com- 
mand to return. All were disappointed and dis- 
couraged. The prospect of a fight and a brilliant 
victory was destroyed by a few lines from General 
Thomas. Colonel Bramlette was in a rage for a 
short time. The command returned to Waitsboro, 
where we remained a few days, when Colonels 
Bramlette and Wolford were ordered to the relief 
of Colonel Haggard, of the 5th Kentucky, who was 
stationed at Columbia, Ky. Colonel Haggard had 
reported that a rebel force was marching against 
him. • We again struck tents and were off in a new 
direction. After three days' march we arrived at 
Columbia. The enemy, I suppose, ascertained that 
reenforcements had arrived, and made no attack. 
In a few days General Boyle arrived with two Ohio 
regiments ; but before his arrival, word came that 



112 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEKLLLAS OF 

the enemy had been encouraged by our backward 
move from Monticello, and were marching against 
Colonel Hoskins at Waitsboro ; General ZoUicofl'er, 
with his entire command, had joined them; and un- 
less Colonel Hoskins was instantly relieved, he 
would be overwhelmed. Colonel Wolford was 
anxious to do all in his power to relieve him, and 
assist in a retreat if necessary. He took two hun- 
dred men and started for Colonel Hoskins's camp, 
having to pass Logan's Fields, wdiere it was very 
likely he would lind the enemy in force. We 
started about ten o'clock a. m., and rode the whole 
day, not stopping till after dark. It raided the en- 
tire day. We bivouacked for the night, and next 
morning started again, not having heard a Avord 
fronf Colonel Hoskins or the enemy. It was still 
raining. We passed Logan's Fields (where the 
battle of Mill Springs was fought), but saw no 
enemy. Moving on, we thought perhaps we might 
meet a rebel force at Fishinoj Creek. The citizens 
on the road told us that we could not cross the 
creek — that it would swim our horses. We pushed 
on to the creek, however, finding no enemy. The 
stream was over the banks, and more like a river 
than a creek. ISo delay could be made : if we 
waited ten minutes, it was certain that we could 
not cross. It was still raining in torrents, and the 
creek rising rapidly. We rushed into the boister- 
ous stream, the water nearly reaching the backs of 
the horses, and sw^am the low horses ; reached tlie 
opposite bank, and with a yell announced our re- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 113 

lief. "We were soon in the streets of Somerset, and, 
although it was still raining heavily, the men rush- 
ed out to welcome us ; the women came to the win- 
dows, the doors, and on the sidewalks, waving 
their handkerchiefs. We had no time to lose in 
Somerset, so we marched forward till we reached 
Colonel Hoskins's camp, where we met with a hearty 
welcome. 

Colonel Iloskins, with a force of about eight hun- 
dred men, had been besieged about a week by from 
three to six thousand rebels. His command was 
almost exhausted. They were compelled to guard 
two ferries nearly opposite his camp, one above, and 
another at Mill Springs, a considerable distance 
below. The rebels threatened him in front and at 
Mill Springs. They were compelled to watch the 
river day and night. If they remained, they were 
threatened with immediate destruction ; if they at- 
tempted to retreat, the enemy would rush across the 
river and attack them before they could make their 
escape: so they determined to remain, and make 
the best they could of an exceedingly bad case. 
Never was reenforcement more welcome or more 
needed.- "We relieved Colonel Hoskins' force some- 
what by guarding the ferries and roads, and pre- 
sented a bolder front to the enemy. In a few days 
General Schoepf arrived with reenforcements, and 
our cavalry again returned to Columbia. 'No troops 
since the commencement of the war were in greater 
danirer, or endured more, than Colonel Hoskins's 
command, without any loss or a battle. Our march 



114 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

from Columbia was as hazardous and severe as any- 
made by the cavahy since its first service, and at- 
tended with as much excitement. 

After our return to Columbia we met the pay- 
master for the first time since we entered the service. 
He was a most welcome visitor. After the regiment 
was paid, an order was received by Colonel Wolford 
to proceed or send Lieutenant-Colonel Letecher, with 
six companies, to northeastern Kentucky, and report 
to Colonel Garfield ; the other companies to go to 
William Williams's, on Green river, opposite Neats- 
ville, form an encampment, and watch the move- 
ments of the enemy in the direction of Mill Springs. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Letecher, with the six companies, 
proceeded to their destination. Here I lose sight of 
them until April, 1862, when they joined Colonel 
Wolford at Glasgow, as I went with Colonel Wolford 
and the four companies to Green river. This divi- 
sion of the regiment was about December 4, 1861. 
We remained on Green river until about January 
10th, when we moved to Webb's Cross Roads, much 
nearer the enemy, and there remained until Gen- 
eral Thomas arrived with a considerable force 
moving to attack General ZoUicoffer at Mill Springs. 

We had not been idle while on Green river. 
We were continually scouting and skirmishing with 
the enemy in the direction of Mill Springs and Row- 
ena, on the Cumberland river. We had to be very 
watchful, as we could not expect support or assist- 
ance in case of an attack upon our camp, and the 
rebels were only twenty miles from us, with a large 






EAST- TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 115 

force of cavaliy . After the arri val of General Thom- 
as we proceeded to Logan's Fields, in advance of 
his anny. Our four companies composed the only 
cavalry under General Thomas's command. The 
march from Columbia to Logan's Fields by General 
Thomas's forces was an extraordinary one. It was 
the middle of winter. The march had to be made 
over a dirt road in a swampy country. The wagons 
would sink almost to the axle ; they stuck nearly 
every hundred yards, and an hour or so was consum- 
ed in extricating them. The army made but from 
four to ten miles a day. Our cavalry and the 10th 
Lidiana infantry finally reached Logan's Fields on 
the 16th of January ; the other forces extended back 
perhaps fifteen miles. The 4th Kentucky was about 
one mile in our rear ; the 9th Ohio and 2d Minneso- 
ta, commanded by Colonel McCook, about one mile 
and a half General Thomas established his head- 
quarters with Colonel McCook. The 12th Kentucky 
(Colonel Hoskins) and the 1st and 2d Tennessee 
arrived from Somerset the next day, encamping near 
General Thomas's headquarters. ISTo movement was 
made by the troops in front on the lYth and 18th, ex- 
cept scouting by the cavalry ; the rear was closing up. 
On the morning of the 19th, at daylight, our pickets 
were attacked by the rebel cavalry. Twenty of our 
cavalry were sent immediately to reenforce them. On 
their arrival the rebel cavalry had retired, and our 
pickets were confronted by a regiment of infantry, 
whom they met and kept in check until the arrival 
of other forces. Our cavalry, as soon as they could 



11() THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

prej^are their horses and mount, moved to the scene 
of action, and an-ived about the same time as the 
10th Indiana, who formed across the road, the right 
in a woods, and the left extending into an old field 
As our cavalry could do nothing as cavalry, and 
Colonel Wolford w^as determined to be in the light, 
he ordered his men to retire a short distance, dis- 
mount, form on foot, and march to the left of the 
Indiana regiment, which they did just as the attack 
Avas made upon that regiment. Here our cavalry 
and the Indianians stood shoulder to slioulder, and 
fouirht the entire rebel force for about one hour, 
when our forces were compelled to retire. Our 
cavalry had rendered good service on the left by 
preventing a flank movement. Here Lieutenant 
J. P. Miller, of Company C, fell at the head of his 
company ; he was a brave young man. Other gallant 
spirits of our cavalry fell on this memorable field. 

Our forces had not retired far when they met 
the 4tli Kentuck}^, commanded by Colonel Fry. A 
new line of battle was formed, the left wing resting 
behind the fence and in a skirt of timber. This 
was a better position than the first, as our men were 
under cover, and the enemy had to advance through 
the old field. The conflict was again renewed, and 
continued perhaps an hour or more, when the 9th 
Ohio and 2d Minnesota, commanded by Colonel 
McCook, arrived, and after pouring several heavy 
volleys into the enemy's ranks, made as gallant a 
charge as was ever witnessed. The enemy could 
not stand it, but broke and fled in great confusion 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 117 

toward their works at Mill Springs, pursued by 
our victorious troops. The 10th and 12tli Ken- 
tucky, the 1st and 2d Tennessee, and 14th Ohio 
arrived too late to be engaged in the tight, but 
joined in the pursuit.. General Thomas followed 
them to their works, reaching Mill Springs late in 
the evening, a distance of six miles from the battle 
ground. Several pieces of artillery were planted, 
and the enemy's works shelled till after dark. Early 
next morning an advance was made, but the enemy 
had retired across the river during the night, in a 
steamboat that came up the river from Nashville, 
destroying it as soon as our forces commenced mov- 
ing in the morning. They did not have time to 
save anything ; they left artillery, wagons, tents, 
camp equipage, trunks, and everything except their 
small arms and four pieces of artillery ; the victory 
was complete. Four regiments and four compa- 
nies, and a few pieces of artillery, had completely 
routed eight regiments of the enemy. The rebels 
lost two killed, many wounded, and a large number 
of prisoners ; our loss was forty killed and over one 
hundred wounded. Both officers and privates did 
their dut}'. All stood to their posts, notwithstand- 
ing the rain descended in torrents during the whole 
battle. The rebels did not cease their flight till 
they reached Gainsboro, Tenn. 

I will here introduce a letter written to Colonel 
Wolford a short time after the battle of Mill Springs, 
as expressive of my feelings at that time, and also 
as showing the condition of part of the country : 



118 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 

"Liberty, Ky., Feb. 5th, 1862. 
" Colonel Frank Wolford, commandmg 1st Kentucky 
Cavalry. 
"Dear Sir: Last June, Clinton county had 
nine liundrecl voters, nearly all of whom were loyal 
to the Union. ■ In July last, two companies were 
raised in Clinton for the United States service: a, 
company for Colonel Wolford's cavalry, then com- 
manded by rne, now by Captain John A. Morrison, 
and a company for Colonel Bramlette's regiment, 
commanded by Captain li. S. Taylor. Two other 
companies in Colonel Hoskins (12th Kentucky) 
were almost entirely raised in Clinton, viz.. Cap- 
tains Frogge and Rousseau's. Part of another com- 
pany in said regiment is from Clinton, viz.. Captain 
Yeach's. There are a great many Clinton county 
men in Colonel Haggard's regiment of cavalry; so 
that Clinton county has about five hundred troops 
in the army. After deducting the disunion element, 
nearly all the able-bodied men of the county are in 
their country's service. They have left wife and chil- 
dren, father and mother, brother and sister, their 
homes and property, and taken up arms in defence 
of our common country. The rebels invaded the 
county, oppressed her citizens at home, put them in 
fear, abused them, murdered several, and stole their 
property. Still her citizens in the army submitted 
to it quietly for the good of the cause. But, now 
the rebels have been whipped and routed and 
driven back, except a small number of thieves, who 
are now hanging upon the border, threatening de- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 119 

struction and extermination to everybody, wliy 
cannot a force be sent to the border sufficient to 
protect that country, and stand between the rebels 
and the families of those in their country's service, 
who are bound to suffer greatly if not protected? 
Wayne county is in about the same condition. 
Are a loyal people to be left unprotected, and to be 
plundered and murdered by two or three hundred 
thieves after the main army has been routed and 
driven from this part of Kentucky, when fifteen or 
twenty thousand troops are within thirty or thirty- 
five miles? 

"As a citizen of Clinton county, who has suffered 
at the hands of the rebels, I humbly and earnestly 
ask that one or two regiments, if not more, be sent 
to the border, so as to render protection to as loyal 
people as ever lived. 

"I desire this letter to be forwarded to General 
Thomas, and througli him to General Buell. 
" Your humble servant, 

"J. A. Brents, 
" Major 1st Kentuclcy Cavalry.'''' 

After the battle of Logan's Fields, or Mill 
Springs, the four companies with Colonel Wolford, 
and the two companies under Major Coffey at 
Somerset, Ky., were ordered to Bardstown to rest 
and recruit the horses, as tliey had l)een in active 
service for six months, with but little rest, and 
most of the time in the face of tlie enemy. Bards- 
town is an old town, forty miles south of Louis- 



120 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

ville. The Catholics are quite numerous in the 
county (Nelson). Many of the citizens we found 
to be loyal and kind to the soldiers; but many, 
perhaps a majority, were rebels, and very stubborn 
and sour. They did not attempt to conceal their 
feelings ; they denied being secessionists, and called 
themselves the Southern rights party. Colonel W. 
H. Lytle was in command of the post. We found 
him to be a fine gentleman and good officer. The 
4th Kentucky cavalry was at this post. I became 
acquainted with several of the officers, whom I 
found to be clever gentlemen. Colonel Bayles, 
the commander, I found to be an exceedingly kind 
man. After remaining here about six weeks, we 
marched down the old Louisville and Nashville 
turnpike to Glasgow, where we again halted. No 
troops were here ; and the cavalry had been order- 
ed here for the purpose of protecting this part of 
the State from the raids of guerillas. As at Bards- 
town, we found many loyal citizens, who were kind 
and hospitable. We also found many secessionists, 
or men of the Southern rights party : and if a fair 
vote had been taken in the count}^ (Barren), I think 
it very likely a majority of the citizens would have 
voted to go with the seceding States. The State of 
Kentucky is loyal, but many secessionists are to be 
found, especially in and about Lexington. The 
Lexington Congressional District is nearly divided, 
William E. Simms opposed John J. Crittenden for 
Congress in this district, and received a large vote. 
This condition of affiiirs was caused by the popu- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 121 

larity of Joliri C. Breckinridge, William E. Simms, 
James B. Clay, and Roger Hanson, all of whom 
reside in the district. Bardstown and Glasgow are 
secession towns ; so also is the iirst Congressional 
District, in the southern part of the State. Henry 
C. Burnett is responsible for this. Then there is a 
scattering secession population in the other wealthy 
counties of the State. 

While at Glasgow, Colonel Wolford was joined 
by Lieutenant-Colonel Letcher and tlie other six 
companies of the regiment. While here Colo- 
nel Wolford made two expeditions to Jackson 
county, Tenn., in search of the notorious guerilla 
chief. Captain Hamilton, but could not find him. 
Major Brents and Captain Morrison, with twelve 
men, visited Clinton county, and came very near 
falling in with Champ Ferguson ; but he had left 
for Tennessee just in time to prevent a collision. 

After remaining at Glasgow about weeks. 

Colonel Wolford received orders to send the regi- 
ment direct to Nashville, Tenn., except four com- 
panies, with which he was to proceed to ^Nashville 
via Livingston, Cooksville, &c., and capture or dis- 
perse all the guerilla and rebel companies on his 
route. The officer who issued this order certainly 
did not understand the nature of the country and 
the strength of the rebel forces on the route. If he 
had, it seems to me that he would not have sent so 
small a force into a hostile country, without any 
support to rely upon, and no way to retreat. They 
were to march a distance of two hundred and fifty 
6 



122 THE PATRIOTS AND GrEEILLAS OF 

miles, without knowing the country or the number 
of forces they would have to meet. The oflScer 
ordering this expedition probably knew Colonel 
Wolford, and was satisfied that he could do all 
that was possible to be done. It w^as known with 
certainty that Cliamp Ferguson, Captains Bledsoe, 
McHenry, and Hamilton, with their forces, were 
not far from Livingston, numbering perhaps five 
hundred, but it was not known what other forces 
were in that section. It was also known that the 
citizens were hostile, and would assist the rebel 
troops in every w^ay possible. 

Colonel Wolford was not the man to flinch from 
any duty imposed upon him. He directed Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Letcher to take eight companies of 
the regiment and proceed to Nashville ; and as he 
did not wish to be encumbered with wagons and 
baggage, he directed Lieutenant-Colonel Letcher 
to take charge of the entire camp equipage. Colo- 
nel Wolford then took command of the four com- 
panies, and started on the hazardous expedition. 
Being satisfied that it would be a very interesting 
and excitable adventure, I preferred to be with it, 
to which Colonel Wolford consented. An account 
of this Tennessee campaign will be given in the 
next chapter. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 123 



CHAPTEE Y. 

A CAMPAIGN IN TENNESSEE. 

Before starting, Colonel Wolforcl ordered that 
each man should have his arms placed in the best 
order, and procure one hmidred rounds of ammu- 
nition. The four companies were composed of 
three hundred and twentj-five men, including 

oflBcers. On the day of April, 1862, we left 

Glasgow, and on the second day of our march we 
crossed the Cumberland river at Burksville, and 
arrived at Albany on the third day. We here 
ascertained that three rebel companies had just 
left and gone to Tennessee, with a, large amount of 
property that they had taken from the citizens. 
They had also murdered several citizens. The 
recent rains had so swollen Wolf and Obey's rivers 
that we eould not cross them ; so we remained 
at Albany nearly a week. It was very fortunate 
for the rebels that they got into Tennessee before 
the rise of these rivers. With the two forces so 
near together, between these rivers and the Cum- 
berland, and no line of retreat, a collision would 
have occurred, which would have resulted in de- 
struction of one of the parties. 

On the 24:th day of April, Colonel Wolford's little 



H^4: THE PATRIOTS Als^D GUEEILLAS OF 

band started from Albany. It was not long before 
we had crossed the State line and were in the north- 
eastern portion of Overton county, Tenn. After 
travelling a short distance, three officers rode to the 
fence in front of a house, and asked for water. A 
young lady brought us some, w^hich was drunk 
eagerly by all. Being asked about the movement 
of the rebel troops, she said that a few day% before 
our arrival a squad of rebels had called at their 
house and demanded all the arras on the place. 
She informed them that she had a musket, but that 
they would not get it. They advanced toward her 
to take it. She presented it at them, and told them 
that the first man who attempted to take it would 
certainl}^ die. They believed her to be in earnest, 
and would keep her word if they made any further 
demonstrations ; so they went away without it. 
Expressing a wish to see her musket, she went into 
the house and brought it out, and went through the 
manual of arms as well as a soldier. Her name is 
Zachary. 

"We crossed Wolf river near J. D. Hale's resi- 
dence. The house was closed and the mill idle ; 
everything presented a desolate appearance. The 
most picturesque scene I ever witnessed was at the 
crossing of Obey's river. About half a mile from 
the river, on the north side, the road makes a pre- 
cipitate descent into the river bottom. I stood upon 
the brink of the hill at this point, and took a view 
of the surrounding country. There lay the beauti- 
ful river at my feet, and a vast plain upon the 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 125 

opposite side, perhaps three miles in width, ^vhile 
a range of hills is presented to the view. Just 
beyond this range is another, then a third one, and 
so on to the farther range, which is of great height. 
These hills approached the river both to the riglit 
and left, thus forming a basin. The timber, whichi 
was very heavy upon them, was just getting green ; 
the warm spring days had pushed out the buds 
and leaves. 

The soldiers marched down to the river, and, 
with the waving of hats and banners, rushed into 
the foaming water, which was nearly over the backs 
of our horses. It was necessary to march down the 
stream one hundred yards, and then make a turn 
and march up-stream two hundred yards before 
effecting a landing. Thus nearly all our little band 
was in the stream at the same time. It was a beau- 
tiful scene. I am no poet, nor have I imagination 
enough to describe the scene as I would wish ; yet 
I have given the outlines, from which a highly- 
wrought fancy can form a beautiful picture. 

We continued our march, without any interrup- 
tion or remarkable occurrence, until we were within 
a mile of Livingston, when Lieutenant Adams and 
Sergeant Carpenter fell in with a rebel lieutenant, 
and gave him such a close chase that he abandoned 
his horse and made his escape into the woods. They 
captured his horse, however, with good equipage. 
We then proceeded until we came in sight of Liv- 
ingston, and then halted. Two squads were sent in 
advance, and directed to march into the town by dif- 



126 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

fereut streets, the main body following at a slow gait. 
It was near sunset ; the clouds were dark, and the 
evening gloomy. It was not long before wx heard 
the crack of rifles in front. The soldiers gave a 
yell, and all galloped to the assistance of their com- 
rades ; all were sure of a fight. At this moment 
the rain commenced falling, and in a few moments 
it was pouring down in torrents. When we reached 
the centre of the town we found our comrades, who 
.had captured several prisoners and driven others 
into houses. We captured eight rebel soldiers ; 
they were the picket of Captain McHenry's company 
— an unexpected turn in affairs, both for the picket 
and citizens, the latter of whom ran in every direc- 
tion, the men concealing themselves, and the women 
and children screaming. The women " didn't want 
their houses burnt ; " some " didn't want their 
children hurt ; " others '' didn't w^ant their husbands 
killed or carried off," as they had done nothing. 
They were assured that we professed to be gentle- 
men, and that we w^ould not interfere with private 
property or citizens. Quiet w^as finally restored. 
It was now dark, and still raining. We started in 
search of Captain McHenry's company. We had not 
gone far before we met a rebel colonel and senator, 
w^hom we arrested and kept a day, and released 
upon their parole, which I have since heard they 
violated. We then proceeded about two miles 
from Livingston. It was very dark, and raining. 
Our guide did not know exactly w^iere we would 
find McIIenry, and we had travelled thirty-five 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 127 

miles during the day, and all were wet; so we re- 
turned to town and procured something for the 
horses to eat, and made our suppers on cooked meat 
and bread that we had brought along in our haver- 
sacks. We took lodging in the court house and 
adjoining houses. Thus ended our first day in 
Tennessee. 

We were up early next morning, and, after 
getting breakfast and feeding our horses, started 
again. It was such a stormy night, and our 
pickets were so well posted, that McHenry had 
not heard of our approach. His men were con- 
siderably scattered ; but we soon started several of 
them. The boys were eager for fun. The rebels 
fled before ns wherever we went. The chase 
was kept up during the entire day, but Captain 
McHenry and a portion of his men succeeded in 
making their escape to the mountains. Some- 
times ten or fifteen of our boys would be after one 
or two rebels, and again two or three would chase 
ten or fifteen. Wherever one made his appear- 
ance, the rebels thought all were coming ; and our 
movements were so rapid that they could not tell 
how many men we had, some even supposing we 
were a thousand strong. 

One company followed a portion of the rebel 
forces to Cookesville. It was here that they came 
up with Champ. Ferguson, an account of which 
afiliir is given elsewhere. Xight put a stop to the 
chase, previous to which we had captured about 
thirty rebel soldiers, including a lieutenant named 



128 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

Goodbar. Some very rich scenes occiirred during 
the day. One fellow created much merriment by 
having " Jeff Davis " in large capitals worked in 
the browband of his bridle ; but, as he j^roved 
himself a citizen, our kind Colonel liberated him 
the next morning. Some of the men discharged 
their gims for the purpose of cleaning them. A 
citizen in the neighborhood, hearing the noise, 
seized his gun, mounted his horse, and -vvas mak- 
ing for our camp, when he was arrested by some 
of the men out on the road, who asked him where 
he was going. He said that he heard the report of 
guns, and supposed our camp was attacked ; and, 
as one of the Ilome Guards of the county, was com- 
ing to join the forces against us. He v/as taken 
along with the other prisoners. 

We marched this day through Cookesville to 
Gainsboro, a distance of about fifty miles. We 
caught several rebel soldiers, among them two no- 
torious characters named Gogghi and McWhorter. 
We reached Gainsboro after dark, and found many 
frightened women, but few men. Captain Hamil- 
ton and company had been here all day, but hear- 
ing that we were on the way, had just left for the 
hills. They were all secessionists here, and with- 
out any accommodations ; it was a very difficult 
matter to get anything to eat for men and horses. 
'Next morning we started for Nashville, which 
place we reached April 30th, 1862, without meet- 
ing any rebel force. We lost only one man on 
this expedition, who was shot by a comrade acci- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 129 

dentally. We caj^tured about fifty soldiers, took 
twenty of them to Nashville, and released the 
others on parole. 

Citizens at home, in their comfortable houses, 
and with bountiful tables to sit down to thiree times 
a day, know very little about the trials of a soldier. 
On this expedition we travelled from thirty to sixty 
miles each day, eating only twice, and then but a 
scant supply of meat and bread. Some days we 
partook of food but once, going twenty-four hours 
without anything ; and at night we had to sleep in 
the open air, with barely one blanket besides om' 
common apparel. 

I ^vill here copy from a letter that I wrote home 
while at ISTashville, which gives a more detailed 
account of this and other expeditions. 

*' I^ASHYiLLE, Te^-x., May 18th, 1862. 
" '^ ^ * From Louisville I proceeded to Bowl- 
ing Green, Ky. The rebels kept a force here last 
fall and a part of the winter. Devastation appears 
to follow the rebel army wherever they go. A large 
number of buildings had been destroyed by fire. 
The fine railroad bridge across Barren river also 
had been ruined by them, as well as the turnpike 
bridge. There was at all hours a very disagreeable 
odor arising from the decay of horses and other 
animals wdiich had been left near the city. The 
rebels had buried a* large number of their dead 
here — perhaps three thousand. They had per- 
formed considerable labor in fortifying the place, 
6* 



130 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

but their M'orks were not as strong as generally 
represented, and could have been taken by a good 
general without much difficulty. 

"After staying here one day and night, I re- 
turned to Munfordsville, a small village on Green 
river. The rebels had destroyed another fine rail- 
road bridge, also the turnpike bridge. I then pro- 
ceeded to Glasgow, where I found my regiment. 
From Glasgow I went with Colonel Wolford and a 
portion of the regiment to Celina, on the south side 
of Cumberland river. The rebel troops had all 
left. The citizens had very little to say, but we 
soon ascertained that they were hostile. From 
Celina I went with Captain Morrison and twelve 
men to Albany on a reconnoitring expedition. 
Champ Ferguson and a considerable rebel force 
had just left, in the direction of Overton county, 
with a large amount of property taken from the 
citizens. They had murdered several in the most 
brutal manner, which you have perhaps heard of 
before this. 

"We remained in the county three days, al- 
though Ferguson was expected to return every 
moment. We then returned to Glasgow, which 
place we left again in a few days. The main body 
of the reojiment went direct to l^ashville. Colo- 
nel Wolford and three hundred and twenty-five 
men w^ent to Albany, where we remained nearly 
a week. Wolf and Obey's rivers being so much 
swollen that we could not cross them. After a 
week's delay we were again on the march for 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 131 

' Dixie's Land,' passing tlirongli Livingston, Cookes- 
ville, and Gainsboro. In this scout we captured 
fifty rebel soldiers, and chased two or three hun- 
dred more into the mountains. It was a most lively 
and interesting time. I never saw any one so fright- 
ened in my life as the rebels, nor any so anxious for 
a chase as our boys. Besides prisoners, we got 
horses and equipage, guns, pistols, sabres, swords, 
ammunition, &c. From Gainsboro we proceeded 
to J^ashville, where we arrived the SOtli of April, 
on the way passing through the towns of Granville, 
!N"ew Middleton, Lebanon, and some smaller ones. 

" From Kashville the entire regiment moved to 
Murfreesboro, where we remained a few days, and 
then proceeded to Lebanon, where we surprised the 
notorious Colonel John Morgan, and captured about 
one hundred and sixty of his men, including Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Wood and several captains and 
lieutenants. Morgan's loss in killed and wounded 
is not- known by me, but must have been heavy, as 
the battle raged fiercely for some time. Our loss 
in killed was about ten. Colonel Wolford was se- 
verely wounded in this engagement. Never did 
troops fight better than Colonel Wolford and his 
command. You will see the particulars in the 
papers. 

'•The second day after the fight we returned 
to Murfreesboro. We afterward proceeded to 
Eogersville, Ala., through Shelbyville and Pulaski, 
Tenn., leaving our wagons and camp equipage at 
Shelbyville, and a part of the regiment. From 



132 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEEILLAS OF 

Eogersville I went with two Imndred of our men to 
Columbia, Tenn., as a guard to a wagon train. 
Tliere I left the men in command of Captain Jen- 
kins who returned with the wagon train. I came 
here to-day, and expect to leave to-morrow, as I am 
ordered to Shelby ville to take command of the por- 
tion of our regiment at that point. So you see I 
have travelled a great distance since 1 saw you. 
The most of this time w^e were without wagons, 
tents, or cooking utensils. We rested very little 
during this time, sometimes travelling all night, 
and often from forty to sixty miles in twenty -four 
hours. AVe have had a rough time — men and horses 
are exhausted. 

" I must say something about the people and 
the country through which we passed. Glasgow is 
a pretty town : the Union people are very clever. 
There are many disunionists in the county. The 
people of Overton county are rebels, except those 
of the northeastern portion of the county. Gains- 
boro is the worst hole in Tennessee or anywhere 
else. The people are actually mean ; they said they 
had no corn, bacon, or anything for starving men 
and horses ; but our quartermaster found plenty of 
food, and we soon relieved our appetites. I never 
want to see the place again. I met with only two 
or three clever people in the town. 

" From Albany to Granville we passed through 
a very rough country ; but from Granville to J^ash- 
ville the land is mostly level and quite rich. It is 
a pretty country. Many of the citizens are wealthy. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 133 

The farmers were preparing to put in large crops, 
and appeared to be very industrious. The citizens 
in Tennessee on this route are disunionists, except 
at New Middleton, and about ten miles around the 
town, where they are principally loyal. They were 
delighted to see lis. They would have Colonel 
Wolford stop and make them a speech, wdiich he 
did in good style, giving them great satisfaction. 
They said it was the first time they had heard the 
truth for a whole year. 

" We stopped at the Hermitage and visited the 
tomb of tlie great Jackson. Our little band dis- 
mounted, and in double file marched around the 
tomb. It was a solemn scene, and made a strong 
impression upon all. Mr. Jackson, the proprietor, 
was not at home, having gone farther south upon 
the approach of the Union troops. We were waited 
upon by an old negro who had been one of General 
Jackson's attendants. The Hermitage is a beauti- 
ful place, ten miles from I^ashville. 

"There are not many Union citizens in Nash- 
ville. It cannot be called a handsome city, nor is 
it as large as Louisville. The capitol at Nashville 
is one of tlie finest buildings in America. 

" Murfreesboro is a pretty town, in a rich and 
wealthy country. The citizens are all disunionists, 
with very few exceptions, and are quite bitter. As 
we marched through the streets, the women appear- 
ed at the doors and windows and waved their hand- 
kerchiefs to the prisoners w^e were convoying, and 
many sent them bouquets. They had prepared to 
make a demonstration upon tliis occasion. 



134 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

" Lebanon is a neat place, and the inhabitants 
generally disunionists, but we found several kind 
and loyal citizens. Ex-Governor Campbell, Jor- 
dan Stokes, and other prominent Unionists reside 
here. 

"Shelbyville is a beautiful place. A majority 
of the citizens of the town and county are loyal, and 
very kind to Union soldiers. At a little town be- 
low Shelbyville, called Farmington, w^e found a 
Union population. The women shouted and re- 
joiced as though they had been at a camp meeting. 

"Pulaski is another pleasant town, .the inhab- 
itants mostly disunionists. The country from 
JSTashville to Pulaski is rich and the citizens wealthy ; 
but a few miles beyond Pulaski, toward Kogers- 
ville, the country is the poorest I ever saw. The 
road from Pulaski to Columbia is through a rich 
country. The latter is a good town, and a strong 
Union sentiment prevails. Major Wm. H. Polk, a 
loyal citizen, resides here. The people generally 
appear willing to feed the Union soldiers, but charge 
fifty cents a meal, and the same for lodging for one 
night, which is often paid by officers when march- 
ing w^ithout wagons or camp equipage. The people 
of Middle Tennessee appear to have plenty, but in 
I^orth Alabama provisions are scarce. Some citi- 
zens had very little to eat, and even that was taken 
by some mean soldiers. 

"I will give an estimate of the distances travelled 
by us. This estimate may not be exactly correct, 
as we did not travel the direct roads ; ten miles 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 135 

may therefore be added to every thirty, to make 
the actual distance travelled. 

" From Glasgow to Albany, 50 miles, Albany to 
Livingston 30, Livingston to Oookesville 25, Cookes- 
ville to Gainesboro 25, Gainesboro to Granville 30, 
Granville to Lebanon 30, Lebanon to IN'ashville 30 ; 
in all, 220 miles. From Nashville to Murfreesboro 
30 miles, Murfreesboro to Lebanon and back again 
60, Murfreesboro to Shelbyville 25, Shelby ville to 
Pulaski 55, Pulaski to Rogersville 30, Rogersville 
to Columbia 60, Columbia to Nashville 45 ; total 
distance 525 miles. Add (for indirect roAites) 175 
miles, and the whole distance travelled is 700 miles, 
which was accomplished in thirty-five days. "VYe 
fought one battle, and had nearly a dozen skir- 
mishes ; captured two hundred soldiers and perhaps 
three hundred horses, with guns, pistols, sabres, 
swords, &c., sustaining a loss of about twenty men 
killed and wounded. Such has been our campaign 
since I saw you." 

The foregoing letter, together with what is given 
in the beginning of this chapter, is all that I desire 
to say concerning this expedition, except a notice 
of the battle at Lebanon between the Union forces 
under command of General Dumont and the rebels 
imder command of the notorious Colonel John Mor- 
gan, on the 5th of May, 1862, and to relate an 
incident which occurred between Pulaski and 
Pogersville. I can say nothing concerning the 
battle at Lebanon so well and so accurately as is 
furnished by General Dumont's official report, which 
I here introduce : 



136 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 



OFFICIAL EEPOKT OF GENERAL DUMONT. 

" Headquaetees TJ. S. Foeces, ) 
"Nashville, May Ibth, 1862. \ 

" Colonel James B. Frij^ A. A. G. : 

"I HOW, in pursuance of your directions, have 
tlie honor to submit to you a more detailed report 
of the expedition resulting in the defeat of tlie 
enemy under Colonel John Morgan, at Lebanon, 
Tenn., on the morning of May 5th, 1862. 

" On Friday night. May 2d, 18G2, at midnight, 
I received a despatch sent by Brigadier-General 
Negley from Columbia, Tenn., informing me that 
on that day, Morgan, at the head of two thousand 
men, had, at Pulaski, Tenn., captured 280 conva- 
lescents of General Mitchell's command, and was 
then attacking General Mitchell's w^agon train, 
south of Pulaski, and asking me to send reenforce- 
ments. Uj^on glancing over the map I was satisfied 
that I could not get troops to Pulaski in time to 
participate in anything to be done there, but that I 
might stand a chance to intercept the enemy by 
pushing with all speed by railway to Shelbyville, 
and thence in pursuit, shaping my course by the 
route of the enemy, I immediately telegraphed to 
Colonel Duffield at Murfreesboro to hold 1,000 in- 
fantry in readiness to move by rail by the time of 
my arrival ; that I would be there with the cars to 
transport them before morning. One hour after- 
ward I was on my way witli the train, accompanied 
by a guard of thirty men from the 51st Ohio regi- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 137 

ment, Colonel Stanley Matthews, wliom I consnlted 
as to the course best to be pursued, and who 
rendered what I consider judicious and valuable 
advice and prompt assistance. Upon him I devolved 
my command at [N'ashville, during my temporary 
absence from the city. At six o'clock on Saturday 
morning, May 3d, I reached Murfreesboro with the 
train, but, to my mortification, found that my des- 
patch to Colonel Dufiield had not been delivered, 
and that troops were not read}^ I went to Colonel 
Duffield's camp and informed him what I wanted. 
In the shortest possible time he had the 9th. Michi- 
gan, Lieutenant-Colonel Parkhurst, and the 8th 
Kentucky, Colonel Barnes, on board the cars, and 
with these regiments, Colonel Duffield and myself 
proceeded forthwith on the Nashville and Chatta- 
nooga Railroad to Wartrace. At Wartrace I posted 
the 8th Kentucky regiment and the thirty men from 
Colonel Matthews's regiment, with a view to inter- 
cept the enemy, should he attempt to cross the 
railroad at that place. Having ordered the 4tli 
Kentucky cavalry forward from Wartrace to Shel- 
byville, with the 9th Michigan, I proceeded to 
Shelbyville, and there posted it with the same view. 
At Shelbyville I learned that the enemy had en- 
camped on Friday night near Farmington, which 
is about halfway between Shelbyville and P'ulaski. 
I reached Shelbyville about 5 o'clock p. m., on 
Friday, and immediately ordered forward the 38tli 
Indiana regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Merriweather, 
toward Farmington. As vain as it would seem for 



138 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

infantry troops to overtake a mounted enemy, I 
considered it best to have them about, in view of 
the information which had been given me as to 
Morgan's strength. Eager for the fray, never did 
men make a better march than did this regiment 
on that night, and if it did not finally participate 
in the engagement, it was simply because a physical 
impossibility stood in the way. I feel grateful to 
Lieutenant-Colonel Merriweather and his regiment 
for the promptness and zeal displayed in joining 
me in the pursuit of the enemy. 

" With some three hundred of the 4th Kentucky 
cavalry. Colonel G. Clay Smitli, I followed the 38th 
Indiana regiment toward Farmington, not being able 
to get ready to start as promptly as did Colonel Mer- 
riweather. At midnight I halted my command and 
sent forward scouts to ascertain the whereabouts of 
the enemy, and learned that he had crossed Duck 
river that morning, making toward Doolittle, on 
the Shelbyville and Nashville turnpike. With that 
start it seemed evident that he could not be over- 
taken with infantry; still, I directed Lieutenant- 
Colonel Merriweather and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Ruckstuhl, of the 4th Kentucky cavaby, to follow 
on his trail. Believing that the enemy intended to 
pursue an easterly direction and to cross the railroad 
at some point between Wartrace and Murfreesboro, 
I, with a detachment of Colonel Smith's 4th Ken- 
tucky cavalry, returned to Shelbyville, reaching 
that place a little before daybreak. I directed 
Colonel Duffield to again take the cars, with the 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 139 

9th Michigan, and go to the bridge north of AYar- 
trace, fearing that Morgan would cross at that phice 
before I could intercept him and burn the bridge. 
I proceeded myself on Sunday morning, after an 
hour's rest, with Colonel Smith and the detachment 
from his command, toward Murfreesboro, hoping 
to intercept Morgan as he crossed the Shelbyville 
and Murfreesboro pike. Knowing that infantry 
could no longer aid me, and still supposing the ene- 
my strong, I sent a courier forward to Murfreesboro, 
with word to Colonel Wynkoop, 7th Pennsylvania 
cavalry, and Colonel Wolford, 1st Kentucky cavalry, 
to meet meat 2 o'clock p. m. of Sunday. Wynkoop 
did meet me with 120 of his men, informing me that 
Morgan had already crossed the railroad between 
Murfreesboro and JN'ashville, tearing up the track, 
burning cotton, &c., and that Wolford had gone in 
pursuit. Causing Wynkoop to join me with his 120 
men, I hastened forward to Murfreesboro, arrived 
there at 5 o'clock p. m. of Sunday, fed my horses, and 
pushed forward toward Lebanon. Colonel Duffield 
and Lieutenant-Colonel Parkhurst accompanying 
me. 

" I had proceeded from Murfreesboro about 
eight miles toward Lebanon, when, to my utter 
amazement, I met Colonel Wolford coming back 
with his command. He informed me that he had 
followed the enemy until almost reaching him, 
when he w^as overtaken with an order from Mur- 
freesboro to return, on account of an apprehended 
attack on that town. I ordered him to join me, 



IttO THE PATRIOTS A^D GUERILLAS OF 

which lie obeyed with alacrity and gladness, and 
having now some six hundred troops of the 1st 
and 4th Kentucky and 7th Pennsylvania cavalry, I 
pushed toward Lebanon, confident that, after my 
long, tedious, and discouraging march, I would yet 
be able to strike the enemy before he could cross 
the Cumberland and get beyond my reach. At a 
little after midnight I reached a point within four 
miles of Lebanon, and learning that Morgan was 
certainly there, posted a guard to intercej)t any one 
that might give him intelligence of my apj^roach, 
and halted with a view of resting my greatly 
flitigued men and of striking him at daybreak. A 
little before the break of day I moved forward at a 
rapid pace, the detachment from the 7th Pennsyl- 
vania, led by Colonel Wynkoop, in advance, fol- 
lowed by Colonel Wolford at the head of the 
detachn:ient of the 1st Kentucky cavalry. Colonel 
G. Clay Smith commanded the rear guard, com- 
posed of a detachment from the 4tli Kentucky 
cavalry. I directed Wynkoop and Wolford to 
move at full speed into town by different streets 
and charge upon the enemy, believing that the 
benefits resulting to us by his surprise would be 
of more value than any advantage I could obtain 
by a different policy. I felt confident that I could 
whip him if he did not escape, and that all I had 
to fear was from his heels ; that the best way to 
prevent his escape was to precipitate my main 
force upon him, strike him hard and fast, and not 
suffer him to get out of my sight or beyond my 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 141 

reach. To avoid the risk of this course, I held Colo- 
nel Smith's 4:th Kentucky momentarily in reserve. 

" I hesitated some in pursuing this policy of 
making a charge without knowing precisely the 
enemy's position or strength, l)ut am now fully sat- 
isfied that his escape would have been inevitable 
if it had not been adopted, as the roads leading 
from the town were very numerous, many of them 
diverging at right angles from the main roads out- 
side of town. 

" The enemy, it seems, were in two squadrons, 
one in charge of Morgan and the other in charge 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, all under command 
of Morgan. Morgan occupied the college, a large, 
massive building, on a hill to the right of the road, 
along which I must enter the town. Wood and his 
men occupied the public square and the various 
buildings in and around it, including an immense 
livery stable and the Odd Fellows' Hall, which 
were not immediately upon the square. 

" To charge upon or approach Morgan at all, it 
was necessary that the attacking forces should go 
beyond him into the public square, because there 
was first a creek, then a stone fence, then a hill, 
and then a board fence between the road and the 
college ; and to get beyond these obstacles, my 
whole line was exposed to a fire from Morgan on 
tlie right and from Wood in front. The charge 
was most gallantly made by Colonels Wynkoop 
and Wolford, and seeing that to hold Colonel 
Smith in reserve was but to expose him to the fire 



142 THE PATRIOTS Al^D GUERILLAS OF 

of Morgan, with no ability to return it effectively, 
rather than order him to fall back, I directed him 
to charge also through another street into the 
public square. A terrible fight ensued ; no man 
flinched. On every side, wherever I loolvcd, deter- 
mined valor and heroic courage were conspicuous. 

" It was as yet hardly light ; the rain fell in 
torrents. The town was illuminated by a sheet of 
flame and redolent with the unceasing roll of mus- 
ketry. Morgan did not at this time come down to 
the square, but maintained his ground on the hill 
and in the lane to the north of the college, and 
from thence gave his trooj^s in the town what aid he 
could by opening upon us an annoying but not a 
destructive fire. From the flre of the first gun, 
my troops constantly advanced, gave back not an 
inch, while the enemy quailed before the valor, 
wavered before the deadly fire of my men, and 
finally broke and fled in every direction and in the 
utmost terror. During the deadly strife. Colonel 
G. Clay Smith w^as shot in the leg painfully, but 
bravely kept the field at the head of his men until 
the enemy finally fled, and then joined many miles 
in pursuit. 

" Colonel Wolford was badly wounded in the 
abdomen by a pistol shot, and by a desperate 
charge, upon the head of his column, cut off from 
his command and captured, but subsequently re- 
captured. He is a brave and determined man, 
and his troops on this occasion proved themselves 
worthy of so gallant a leader. After Wolford was 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 143 

wounded and captured, his command devolved 
upon Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Letcher, and well, 
faithfully, and bravely did he take upon himself 
iliQ responsibility and do his duty. He won credit, 
and it is pleasant to me to award it. 

" The public square being cleared of the enemy, 
the field being ours in this quarter, I determined 
now to direct my attention more particularly to 
Morgan on the hill, w^ho had annoyed ns a good 
deal, and had, up to this time, been engaged by 
but a small part of my command. 

" Lispired by the success that we had already 
achieved, my gallant troops had no sooner received 
my command than they engaged Morgan closely, 
and came down upon him with a jar. Their fire 
was so w^ell directed and soon became so hot that 
he gave way in good order and led us a chase 
through many of the streets and alleys of the town, 
thinking he would be able to dodge us and make 
his escape on a road unobserved. To this end he 
made many attempts to decoy me after small par- 
ties, that would approach us, fire into us, and then, 
slowly retreat. I sufiered not myself to be thus put 
upon the wrong scent, but kept my eyes upon, and 
gave my attention to the main force of the enemy, 
and at length disconcerted and defeated his pur- 
pose, by bringing all my force to bear upon him, 
and compelling him to stand or be put to utter rout. 
He chose the latter, and fled toward that point oil 
the Cumberland river at which the town of Rome 
is situated. That town is thirteen miles from Leba- 



144 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

non. He fled at full speed, and was joined, a mile 
from town, at the junction of an intersecting road, 
by some two hundred or three hundred men, driven 
by us from the public square. My troops, with the 
exception of a portion left behind under the gallant 
Colonel Duffield and Lieutenant-Colonel Parkhurst, 
to look after such of the enemy as might still be 
secreted in the houses, followed, never permitting 
the enemy to get out of sight, killing, wounding, 
and taking prisoners at every half mile, for the dis- 
tance of twenty miles, and not losing a man on our 
part in the chase. At Rome we recaptured Colonel 
"Wolford, who had been carried at a fearful rate, 
wounded as he was, a distance of thirteen miles. 
Having followed the enemy until my horses began 
to drop dead under their riders, and until the enemy 
had been so killed, wounded, captured, or escaped 
singly by byroads, that not to exceed forty men 
were still together, the pursuit y/as finally aban- 
doned at Carthage. From Lebanon to Carthage 
the road was strewn with the dead and wounded 
.enemy, and with many horses that had been shot 
or had fallen dead from exhaustion. Li this latter 
respect my command suffered even more than the 
enemy. Bearing our trophies of victory taken in 
the chase, consisting of upward of one hundred 
prisoners besides those taken in the town, and many 
horses and arms, I ordered my command back. I 
had not proceeded far on my return until met by a 
messenger informing me that they were still fight- 
ing at Lebanon. I hastened w^ith all speed, but 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 145 

found all quiet and in good order when I arrived, 
but learned from Colonel Duffield and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Parkliurst and Major J. A. Brents, to all of 
whom I am greatly indebted for the most valuable 
aid, that after I had followed the retreating enemy 
with my main command, it was discovered that 
some sixty or seventy were in the Odd Fellows' 
Hall. These had been, in my absence, surrounded 
and captured. Lieutenant-Colonel Wood was among 
the number. All their horses, arms, and equip- 
ments w^ere also captured. This was a good job, 
and made me proud of the victory achieved, valor 
displayed, and trophies w^on. 

" Lieutenant-Colonel Wood took refnge in this 
hall, in the hope that all my troops would follow 
Morgan, and that he could then withdraw with his 
men and escape. Li this purpose he was signally 
defeated by the vigilance of Colonel Duffield, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Parkhurst, Major Brents, Cap- 
tain Essington, Lieutenant Birnet, and the officers 
and men to whom that duty had been by me con- 
fided. It was Major Brents who threw a guard of 
the 1st Kentucky cavalry to the rear and prevented 
the escape. To this faithful officer I am greatly in- 
debted for valuable service in charge of the prison- 
ers and captured property, as well as his Assistant 
Adjutant, M. C. Bayles, 4th Kentucky cavalry. 

"The disloyal inhabitants, it is believed by 

many, united with the enemy, fired from the houses 

upon and killed some of my men. I thought to 

punish these murderous * non-combatants ' and as- 

7 



146 THE PATRIOTS AND GrERILLAS OF 

sassins by burning down the houses from which the 
firing came, but found that I could not do it with- 
out destroying the property of Union men, of which 
some of the best specimens in Tennessee or any 
other land or country reside in this town. I feared, 
too, that I might make a mistake and do injustice, 
as some that I arrested declared that, though firing 
came from their houses, they did not fire, but that 
Morgan's and Wood's men, when hotly pursued, 
broke into the houses and did the firing. Such was 
possible. I doubted, but could not disprove it. 

" Of the horses captured, many had been taken 
by Morgan from loyal citizens ; indeed, that seems 
to be his mode of always keeping well mounted on 
fresh horses. I have returned many of these, and 
it affords me great pleasure to do it. 

" In this expedition we killed and wounded 
many of the enemy. A number were killed and 
wounded in town, but by far the greater number 
in the pursuit. They lay along the road for a dis- 
tance of twenty miles. On our return we found 
that many of them had been taken aw^ay by the 
inhabitants. I have been told that we killed up- 
ward of sixty, among whom was Captain A. C. 
Brown, of Louisiana, brother-in-law of Governor 
Isham G. Harris. We captured upward of one 
hundred and fifty prisoners, among w^hom is Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel R. C. Wood, of West Adams's regi- 
ment of cavalry, one assistant-surgeon, one captain, 
two lieutenants acting as captains, one lieutenant ; 
the adjutant of West Adams's regiment of cavalry, 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 147 

one lieutenant; the acting adjutant of Morgan's 
squadron, four other lieutenants, and twenty-three 
non-commissioned officers, including the sergeant- 
major of Morgan's squadron. 

'' We captured upward of one hundred and 
fifty horses and mules, many saddles and bridles, 
and many swords, guns, and pistols. A number of 
negro slaves fell into our hands, acting as the ser- 
vants of Morgan's officers and men. 

" "We captured an elegant American flag that 
had been taken from the dome of the court house 
the night before. Also a most elegant sword, pre- 
sented to Major Grosvenor, of the 18th Ohio Yol- 
unteers, and captured by Morgan at Pulaski from 
Adjutant J. C. I^eil, who was deputed by the donors 
to present it. It will afford me pleasure to return 
it to its gallant owner. We also captured Morgan's 
negro and mare. Morgan told Colonel Wolford, 
while the Colonel was in his hands as a prisoner, 
that his force was upward of eight hundred. Our 
loss w^as ten killed, twenty-one wounded, and five 
missing, a list of wliich is appended. 

'' It will be observed that, in this expedition, I 
started with nothing but infantry, and that, owing 
to the celerity 'of the enemy, I was compelled to 
drop my infantry, and that I finally fought the bat- 
tle wholly with cavalry ; that I started southward, 
but finally struck the enemy east and north of 
N'ashville, and more than one hundred miles from 
where I first took his trail. It would be unjust not 
to state the part the infantry bore in this expedi- 



148 THE PATBIOTS AND GUEKLLLAS OF 

tion (though it was not their good fortune to be in 
the iight), and to avoid fliat injustice my report is 
longer than I could wish. The time consumed in 
this expedition, the distance travelled, the changing 
character of my troops, and the details of the fight 
and pursuit, will, I trust, afford a sufiicient apology 
for so many words. As I had to gather up my 
fighting men here and there, as I marched, it makes 
details prolix. 

" In the * chase,' the long chase, that stalwart 
and brave old man, Colonel Wynkoop, 7th Penn- 
sylvania cavalry, led the van, cheering his men oii^ 
and still on. Captain David Braden, Assistant 
Adjutant-General on my staff, is worthy of favora- 
ble mention. Quick, active, determined, and brave, 
no one, no matter how experienced or meritorious, 
could have rendered me better service, or held out 
under the most exhausting fatigue w^ith more un- 
flagging spirit. He was in the midst and thickest 
of the fight in town, at the head of the chase, and 
the last to abandon it. 

" Major James Given, 7th Pennsylvania cav- 
alry, after fighting most bravely, and proving him- 
self of the most undoubted pluck, fell into the hands 
of the enemy — mistaking Morgan's forces for those 
of Wolford. He was carried by Morgan a few 
miles beyond Carthage, and released on his parole. 
After his capture the command of his squadron 
devolved upon Captain Essington, who did good 
service and approved himself equal to the emer- 
gency. He w^as as I am informed, a valuable aux- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 149 

iliary to Colonel Duffield in the capture of Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Wood and his band. 

" Special mention may with propriety be made 
of Lieutenant R. F. Mason, Adjutant of Colonel 
Wynkoop. He was conspicuous throughout the 
tight for his intrepidity. He w^as wounded in the 
arm, and his escape from death was most marvel- 
lous, as is attested by the fact that his rubber coat 
was pierced by many bullets. 

*^ Second Lieutenants Greeno and Taylor, of the 
same regiment, are also named with great praise 
for good conduct. They were both wounded, but 
would not leave the field until the enemy was van- 
quished and routed and victory won. 

" William Spence, a citizen of Murfreesboro, 
Tenn., acted as my volunteer aid on this occasion, 
and rendered me service for which I must ever feel 
grateful. He is true as steel, and an utter stranger 
to fear. 

" I particularly noticed upon the field the con- 
duct of Lieutenant M. C. Bayles, Adjutant 4th 
Kentucky cavalry. It was such as to excite admi- 
ration and to merit warm commendation. If I had 
promotion to bestow for capacity and good conduct, 
I know not where I would find a more worthy, capa- 
ble, and gallant recipient. Colonel G. Clay Smith 
mentions him in his report in terms of praise. He 
also speaks of the meritorious conduct of Major 
Jolm F. Gunkle, Surgeon Samuel L. Adams, Cap- 
tains Kurfees, Magowan, Willing, Lieutenants Ben- 
nett, Bird, Kenys, Eyan, Weston, Rogers, Fritsch, 



150 THE PATKIOTS AND GUEIilLLAS OF 

^ and Church, and his aid, G. Clay Goodloe, all of 
the 4:th Kentucky cavalry. It affords me pleasure 
to add my testimony to that of their gallant colo- 
nel. He awards them no credit to which they are 
not well entitled. 

" Of the Tth Pennsylvania cavalry, credit is due 
to Captains Darth, May, Shafer, and McCormick, 
and to Lieutenants Hilier, Yeil, Childs, Umbleby, 
McFadden, Eicketts, Eeed, Burge, "Warfield, Alli- 
son, and Wood, as well as to such officers of said 
regiments as have been already named. I especially 
noticed Captain McCormick performing deeds of 
valor requiring a strong arm, a steady hand, and a 
stout lieart. 

" It vras not the good fortune of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Ruckstuhl and Captain Chilson, 4:tli 
Kentucky cavalry, to be in this fight, but there was 
no one in the fight entitled to more credit than they. 
They it was who, under my orders, followed Mor- 
gan day and night with but a handful of men, so 
to speak, from Friday to Sunday night. It was 
through their instrumentality that I was able to 
keep the trail of the enemy while trying to gather 
the force with which to chastise him. I would be 
unmindful of merit if I did not speak of them in 
terms of commendation. 

" Of the 1st Kentucky cavalry, besides those 
already named, particular mention is made, in the 
report of Major Brents, of Captains Sweeny, 
Owens, Morrison, Coppage, Dillon, Jenkins, Hack- 
ley, Alexander, Carter, Smith, Lieutenant Ad- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 151 

ams, Qiiarterniaster, Lieutenants Wolford, Dry, 
Coppage, Perkins, Carr, Yan Dyke, Dillon, Ballard, 
Jenkins, Blane, Burton, Robson, Dick, Iluflfaker, 
Mays, Pankey, Hill, Fishback, Luckett, and Ro- 
land. Wliattlie Major says meets my approbation. 
They well merit the praise he so handsomely be- 
stows. 

" I can bestow no praise upon the soldiers of my 
command that would exceed their merit ; they 
cannot be individually named, but the victory, 
after all, is theirs, theirs the honor, theirs the plau- 
dits of a grateful country. 

" In this conflict some of them poured out their 
blood and ofl:ered up their lives upon their country's 
altar. Of such, weak and feeble are the words I 
may utter. Gallant spirits ! they fought to main- 
tain liberty on earth, and died to perpetuate the best 
government upon which the day ever dawned. The 
soil upon which they bled will be sacred soil. Green 
be the sod above them ! Their last resting place 
shall be forever hallowed. For such, earth has no 
adequate reward — there is none this side the para- 
dise of God, and, borne on wings of love, they have 
gone to receive it. With outstretched arms, the 
Saviour has embraced them and welcomed them to 
bliss immortal. Let the tearful eye become dry, 
and the wounded heart cease to ble^d. Your son 
was a good soldier, died in a just cause, and is but 
taken home to God — a denizen of heaven, an heir 
of immortality. lie fought the good fight and 
kept the faith, is honorably discharged, and beyond 



152 THE PATKIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

the din of battle and conflicts of earth, has gone to 
a blessed clime to locate his warrant. Tempted to 
the skies by heavenly harmonies, trumpet tones 
and bugle notes may not recall him. 

" E. DLTklONT, 

" Brigadier General Commanding." 

I may add to this report a few words in regard 
to the battle, in justice to the parties concerned. 
Major Brents, with a portion of the 1st Kentucky 
cavalry, were the only troops left in town to ope- 
rate against Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, and Major 
Brents disposed of, his troops so as to capture 
Colonel Wood and his forces. Captain Essington 
and a force of the 7th Pennsylvania cavalry re- 
turned to town a few moments before Colonel Wood 
surrendered to Major Brents and Captain Essington. 
Colonels Diiffield and Parkhurst came up after the 
surrender. All the officers and men of the 1st 
Kentucky cavalry did well, but some distinguished 
themselves more than others, perhaps from having 
a better opportunity. Captain Morrison, in par- 
ticular, with a portion of his company, Avas in the 
advance and made the attack. He displayed great 
courage and skill, and had several holes perforated 
in his clothes. It was here that tlie severest fight- 
ing took place. Lieutenant Adams was also with 
the advance and displayed great courage, as also 
did Sergeant George W. Cabbell, who was killed 
in another part of the engagement, while charg- 
ing upon the enemy. Captains Dillon and Jenkins 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 153 

made a determined attack upon a squad of rebels 
concealed in a stable, and drove them from it. 
Cabbell fell here, and Lieutenant Jenkins received 
a severe wound in the shoulder. Captain Jesse 
M. Carter displayed great courage and activity. 
He was foremost in the pursuit of Morgan, and 
followed him till he crossed Cumberland river, a 
distance of twenty-three miles. He recaptured 
Colonel Wolfcrd, and took many prisoners. W. H. 
Honnell, our chaplaiu, was in the midst of the se- 
verest of the fight and was captured, but afterward 
made his escape. Others did as well in the en- 
gagement, but these names are prominent in my 
mind. The victory was a brilliant one, and the 
rebel Morgan, for the first time in his career, was 
defeated. 

As we were marching from Pulaski to Eodgers- 
ville, three or four officers dismounted and went 
into a house for water. They were met at the door 
by the landlady, who inquired their business, and 
at the same time told them they had better be 
going, as they had a case of the smallpox in the 
house. One of the officers replied, 

" Madam, that makes no difference with us, as 
we have several cases among our troops ; and as it 
will not endanger you any, we will leave them with 
you." 

Landlady. " It is true we have two cases of 
the yellow fever here." 

Officer, " We had two soldiers die last night 
with the yellow fever." 
7* 



154 THE PATRIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 

Landlady. " You bad better be going and get 
to your work, as you will bave plenty to do." 

Ojficer. " I am afraid we will not find it, as 
your soldiers appear to be very fast on foot." 

Landlady, "It is just as tbe Scriptures say, 
' Brotber sball strive against brotber.^ " 

Officer. " Well, madam, don't find fault witb 
us, as we are only fulfilling tbe Scriptures;" to 
wbicb tbe landlady made no remark. Tbe oJSicer 
continued, 

"Madam, we tbrow away a large amount of 
coffee, and as we now bave a surplus, I will give 
you a balf busbel for tbe same amount of meal." 

Tbe daugbter said, " Mamma, don't do it ; tbey 
want to poison us." Sbe tben turned to tbe ofiQcer 
and said, 

" Wbat are you doing so far soutli ? " 

Officer. " We came down into Dixie to marry." 

Yoimig Lady. "If all tbe girls are like me, 
you will go back disappointed, as I will die an old 
maid ratber tban marry a Yankee." 

Tbe officers tben went to tbe well in tbe yard, 
and drank of tbe purest of all drinks ; and mount- 
ing tbeir borses, rode away. 

In my letter I left a portion of tbe cavalry at 
Eodgersville, a portion at Columbia, and anotber 
at Sbelbyville. At tbe time of writing I was at 
J^asbville. Tbe next day I proceeded to Sbelby- 
ville, wbere I found a part of tbe regiment, tbe men 
and borses exbausted witb active and severe serv- 
ice. On tbe 22d of May I received orders to take 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 155 

all my available force and proceed immediately to 
Manchester, and there form a junction with the 
4th Kentucky cavahy, for the purpose of capturing 
all the rebel forces in that direction. "We started 
at once and reached Manchester after dark by a 
circuitous route. Here we learned that the 4th 
Kentucky cavalry had been near that place and re- 
turned to camp. We attempted to get corn to feed 
our horses, but as we could not find enough to feed 
all we started back to camp, via Wartrace, on the 
same road travelled by the 4th Kentucky cavalry. 
As we marched into Manchester from the south side, 
w^e were taken for Colonel Stearns' rebel cavalry, 
and in this way obtained valuable information. 
After we had gone about two miles from town, I 
sent a sergeant to a house to see if we could get 
corn. The landlord met them and said, " I suppose 
you belong to Colonel Stearns' regiment." 

Sergeant, " Yes, sir, and I was ordered here to 
procure corn to feed our horses." 

Landlord. " I would be most hap2:)y to accom- 
modate you, but I really have not as much as will 
make my bread till Fall." 

Sergeant. " Can we get any on the road?" 
Landlord. "I really don't know. This is a very 
poor country, and I don't know of any one that 
has more than enough for bread. Where are you 
going?" 

Sergeant. " We are going toward Wartrace." 
Landlord. " Why, the whole country in that 
direction is alive with Lincoln troops ; a regiment 



156 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

of cavalry passed here to-daj ; and if your Colonel 
knew it he would not go in that direction for the 
world. I know him, and he is not going to be 
caught in danger if he can avoid it." 

The sergeant got all the information he could 
and then joined the squad. In a few moments two 
officers called at the house. The landlord said, 
" Where is Colonel Stearns ? " "I am the man," 
said one of the officers. " One of your men was 
here," responded the landlord, " wanting corn, and 
I was very sorry I could not supply him, for I will 
do anything in my power for the cause ; but I must 
confess everything looks very gloomy at present. 
It seems as if the Yankees would soon have the en- 
tire State. A regiment of them were here to-day. 
You had better not go in the direction of Wartrace, 
for the whole country is alive with them." 

Tlie officers, after inquiring about the feelings 
of the people and obtaining all the information this 
fellow had, bid him good night and rode away. I 
have no doubt he told the truth about corn, as it 
was a very poor country. He was a man of good 
sense, and one of the best citizens in that country. 

We marched till about ten o'clock, then rested 
till morning, when we rode to Wartrace, fed our 
horses, got breakfast, and returned to Shelbyville, 
having travelled sixty miles in twenty-six hours. 
In a few days we marched to Pulaski with all the 
camp equipage, where we fonnd the other portion 
of our regiment, except two hundred men at Colum- 
bia. The next day Lieutenant Adams and myself 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 157 

rode alone to Columbia, although the country was 
then full of guerillas, and our troops never travelled 
except in large bodies. We were not interrupted, 
however. In a short time the whole regiment 
moved to Columbia, where they remained till July, 
scouting in that section and rendering other service. 
They also made one trip to McMinnville, Tenn. 

On the 2d day of July, 1862, I resigned my po- 
sition as an officer in the army, for reasons stated in 
the resignation, which was accepted. So I doffed my 
uniform for the suit of a civilian, and bade farewell 
to those with whom I had been associated for eleven 
months. I had been treated kindly by both officers 
and privates. My intercourse with Colonel Wolford 
had been most agreeable, upon all occasions being 
treated most kindly by him. This separation was 
a severe trial. — But it is not my intention to intrude 
my individual actions upon the reader, ^ny fur- 
ther than is necessary to explain matters of jDublic 
interest. 

I cannot conclude this chapter without giving 
brief personal sketches of some of the officers of the 
1st Kentucky cavalry, whom I have already no- 
ticed, and perhaps excited an interest to know more 
about them. 

REV. W. H. HONNELL, 

Of Mercer county, Ky., a single man, aged about 
thirty-five years, was our chaplain. He was a 
model clergyman : not that he preached much, or 



158 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

appeared sanctimonious, or intruded his religious 
notions upon any one ; but because of liis devo- 
tion to the sick and wounded. Not a soldier could 
be taken sick without his knowing it. He visited 
and conversed with all, ascertained their wants, 
and had them supplied if it was possible. Nor 
was this conduct occasional ; it was continual and 
unceasing. His name has been blessed a thousand 
times by sick and helpless soldiers. When any 
died, he was foremost in providing them a decent 
and Christian burial. He was not only kind and 
tender to the sick and wounded, but treated every 
one with gentleness and respect. Further, he was 
no coward. He delighted to be upon the battle- 
field, encouraging the soldiers by his presence, and 
waiting upon and caring for the wounded, praying 
for the success of our arms while the battle was in 
progress. When marching, he was always in front 
near his gallant Colonel ; and when the conflict 
raged, he could be seen where the danger was 
greatest, attending to the wounded and dying. He 
was at the battle of Mill Springs, administering to 
the necessities of the disabled, and was near Gen- 
eral Zollicoffer when he fell. Dismounting from 
his horse, he lifted the General from out the road 
where excited combatants were dashing to and fro, 
and carried his dying form to a place where it 
would not be trampled beneath the horses' feet. 
He was also in front at Lebanon in the fight with 
Colonel Wolford. He became separated from his 
regiment, and rode into the rebel ranks, mistaking 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 159 

them for Union troops, when the following dialogue 
took place. 

Colonel Morgan, " You take a position yonder/' 
directing him to the rear. 

Honnell. " I desire to go to my own regi- 
ment." 

Morgan. " I told you where to go." 

Honnell. " I don't like to be treated in such a 
way. I am chaplain of the 1st Kentucky cavalry, 
and want to go to my regiment." 

Morgan. "It is hard for you to understand; 
that I am Colonel Morgan, and you are my pris- 
oner. My men need your j^rayers as well as Wol- 
ford's." 

Honnell saw the position he was in, and sub- 
mitted quietly. "When Morgan commenced his 
retreat, he took Honnell along with him. After 
travelling at a pretty rapid gait for some distance, 
and the Unionists getting pretty close to them, 
Morgan said, " Well, Chaplain, I suppose we will 
have to separate, but before going you must pray." 
About this time a squad of Union cavalry dashed 
up, and Morgan had to proceed without a prayer 
from our chaplain. 

He accompanied the expedition from Glasgow 
to ISTashville via Livingston, and was much delight- 
ed with the chase after rebels. He is now making 
notes, and intends publishing a book containing a 
complete account of the campaigns of the 1st regi- 
ment of Kentucky cavalry, which will, I have no 
doubt, be very interesting. 



160 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 



LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN W. LETCHER. 

This officer resides in Garrard county, Ky. He 
is a good drill-officer, energetic, and attentive to 
his duties. He was with Colonel Garfield in his 
campaign, and with his troops received a favorable 
notice from that officer. Colonel Letcher was in 
the battle of Lebanon, and was complimented by 
General Dumont, whose report is inserted in this 
work. I was with the Colonel but little, as the 
regiment was divided for several months, and 
therefore cannot say more in regard to his ser- 
vices. 

MAJOR FRANCIS M. HELVETI. 

Major Helveti is a Prussian by birth, and has 
resided for several years past in Lexington, Ky. 
He served a number of years in the Prussian 
army, and is thoroughly acquainted with all the 
duties of an officer ; is a good drill-master in both 
cavalry and infantry tactics. He commenced his 
services as adjutant, but was soon promoted to the 
rank of major. He acted as aid to General Schoepf 
at the battle at Wildcat. He has been quite un- 
fortunate. About the 1st of December, 1861, he 
was wounded and taken prisoner not far from the 
battle-ground of Mill Springs ; was conveyed south 
and kept till February, 1862, when he was duly 
exchanged. His wound not being entirely healed, 
lie received leave of absence for a month, and after- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 161 

ward was placed on duty at Louisville, where lie 
remained until May, when he started for Tennessee 
to join his regiment, but was again taken a prisoner 
by Colonel John Morgan at Cave City, Ky., and 
paroled. He is a good officer and a kind gentle- 
man. 

MAJOR WILLIAM A. COFFEY. 

This officer is a physician, and resides in Madi- 
son county, Ky. He was very energetic in raising 
troops for the regiment, recruiting two companies 
in Madison county. He is a man of fine sense ; 
very prepossessing, and presents a fine military 
appearance. He had the command of a squadron 
of cavalry at Somerset for some time before the 
battle of Mill Springs, and rendered important 
service, as his force was the only cavalry at that 
point, while the rebels had quite a large body. He 
was taken a prisoner with Major Helveti at Cave 
City, but was paroled that he might proceed to 
Washington and efiect the exchange of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wood, who was taken at Lebanon, for him- 
self. As he was unsuccessful, he proceeded to Ten- 
nessee and surrendered to the rebel authorities. He 
is a married man, and I believe served a campaign 
in Mexico. 

CAPTAIN JOHN A. MORRISON. 

This officer entered the army in July, 1861, as 
a lieutenant in the company of cavalry raised in 



162 THE PATKIOTS AND GUEKILLAS OF 

Clinton coimty, and was in September promoted to 
the rank of captain. He has distinguished himself 
for courage, skill, and energy. I have already 
mentioned some of the services rendered by him. 
If there was to be a campaign of any importance, 
he would be along ; if a battle was to be fought, 
he would be in the front ranks ; he never sought 
rest if anything was to be done. His company was 
with Colonel Bramlette at Lexington, also at Clay's 
Ferry. He was at Wildcat, but was ordered in 
another direction before the battle. At the head 
of his company he attacked w^ith success a rebel 
camp at Travisville, Tenn. These were the first 
Union troops in Tennessee. An account of this 
affair is given elsewhere. His company was in the 
battle of Mill Springs, but a typhoid fever pre- 
vented him from joining them. At the battle of 
Lebanon he distinguished himself greatly. He was 
with the expedition through Livingston and other 
places, and captured many of the prisoners. Other 
important services, which I need not mention, have 
been rendered by him ; indeed, he was ever active, 
and was never content while idle. In June, 1S62, 
while at home in Clinton county on a leave of ab- 
sence, he was attacked b}^ a band of guerillas, who 
wounded him in the head and arm ; he, however, 
made his escape. He is about twenty-eight years 
old, tall and slender, has a large head, prominent 
forehead, and a good intellect. Receiving but a 
limited education, he is a self-made man, and prom- 
ises fair : is married, and has several children. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 163 

CAPTAIN FRANK N. ALEXANDER. 

This officer recruited liis company in Wayne 
county, Ky., where he resides. He has distinguished 
himself for bravery and energy. He rendered 
good service at the battles of Wildcat, Mill Springs, 
and Lebanon, and displayed great courage and 
coolness in all these actions. He is beloved by 
every officer and private in the regiment, being 
very kind to his men. He is perhaps, thirty-iive 
years old ; is a married man, but has no children. 

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH 

Is a young man, a good, kind, and brave officer, 
and has rendered excellent service. His company 
was at Camp Wildcat several weeks before tlie 
battle, and were continually skirmishing with the 
enemy, in one of which affairs he received a severe 
wound in the wrist. He has the confidence of 
every officer in the regiment; performs any service 
imposed upon him without a murmur — a valuable 
quality in an officer. He recruited his company in 
Washino^ton countv, where he resides. 

I cannot, in a work of this kind, be expected to 
give a notice of all our officers. There are others 
in the 1st Kentucky cavalry just as gallant and as 
brave as those mentioned; and, if this book falls 
into the hands of any of those wdiose names are 
omitted, they must not be offended on account of 
the omission. I will say here that my association 



164: THE PATRIOTS AXD GUERILLAS OF 

with the officers was most agreeable. I found them 
to be clever gentlemen and brave soldiers. Lieu- 
tenant Miller, a gallant officer, died upon the battle 
field. Lieutenant Jenkins was wounded while 
charging upon the enemy. Lieutenants William 
Perkins, George W. Drye, Silas Adams, F. M. 

Wolford, S. Coppage, Dillon, Ballard, Dick 

Griffin, and others, I have seen on the field, and 
know they proved themselves true. I have men- 
tioned Captain Carter and others elsewhere. For 
the names of other officers who have distinguished 
themselves, I will refer to General Dumont's report 
of the battle of Lebanon. 



COLONEL WILLIAM A. IIOSKINS. 

I cannot conclude without a brief notice of 
Colonel Hoskins, of the 12th Kentucky regiment of 
infantry. He was born and educated in Garrard 
county, Ky., but for several years past has resided 
in Clinton county, where he engaged in the coal 
trade, being the owner of some very valuable mines 
in the northeastern part of the county, about six 
miles from the Cumberland river. He is a man of 
medium size, has red hair and whiskers, a well 
balanced head and fine intellect. He is perhaps 
thirty-five years old ; is a married man, and has an 
interesting family. He has lost property at the 
hands of guerillas, and his family, like many oth- 
ers, have had to fiee from their home. I have 
already said that he assisted in organizing a com- 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 165 

pany of Home Guards in Clinton county, and 
visited Washington to procure arms for the com- 
pany, and that he was instrumental in producing 
a change in Washington which resulted in the 
establishment of Camp Dick Robinson. He was 
quartermaster for a while at this camp, and after- 
ward commissioned Colonel, and recruited and 
organized the 12th Kentucky regiment. Before 
this, with a company of the 1st Kentucky cavalry 
and the Home Guards, he made a campaign south 
of the Cumberland river and in Tennessee, and 
with eight hundred men maintained a position for 
one Aveek in the face of perhaps five thousand of 
the enemy. After the battle of Mill Springs he, 
with the other forces of General Thomas, joined 
General Buell, and has been in his department ever 
since. He is a noble officer, and one of the most 
accomplished and agreeable gentlemen in Kentucky. 

In concluding this chapter, I will give the re- 
sult of my observations and conversations w^hile in 
the State of Tennessee. As a southern man, I could 
perhaps better understand this people than those 
not acquainted with their institutions and habits. 

Men generally did not talk much to Union sol- 
diers, as they were unwilling to commit themselves. 
The women talked very freely, and of course ex- 
pressed the views of their fathers and husbands. 
The masses of them honestly believe they have as 
much right to their negro property as to any other. 
They maintain their claim to this species of prop- 



166 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

erty to be perfectly sacred and inviolate. The 
women are wholly enlisted in the southern cause. 
They cannot be too kind to their soldiers ; nor will 
they permit the men at home to see any peace till 
they join the army. Wives send their husbands, 
mothers send their sons, and young ladies will not 
speak to a single man unless he enlists in the army. 
Much has been said about starvation in the 
South : I have seen it stated that the South could 
not raise sufficient grain and meat to sustain the 
people and army. One fact is sufficient to dispel 
this idea. At the commencement of the rebellion 
the people of the southern States were almost en- 
tirely engaged in the production of cotton, and de- 
pendent to a great extent upon Kentucky, Missouri, 
and the western States for breadstuffs, horses, hogs, 
and mules. They have lived through one year with 
this supply almost entirely cut off. Since the war 
commenced they have planted mostly grain instead 
of cotton : the new crop has matured. Why should 
any one at this time, after they have gone through 
nearly two years, say that they will starve ? It is 
true many will suffer ; a large number may be lim- 
ited for food ; but we should not expect to starve 
them into submission. Old corn was abundant in 
Middle Tennessee last summer. The citizens had 
plenty of bacon for their use. The new crop of 
corn was very large, and looked well. The wheat 
crop was also large, but not very good. The south- 
ern people are better prepared to-day with provi- 
sions than they were at the outset. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY. 167 

It has also been said that the Southern soldiers are 
in great want of clothing. It is true that clothing 
is scarce in their army, and what they have is of an 
inferior quality. Men can do with little clothing 
when forced to. Yet they get large quantities of 
clothing from England. They have large amounts 
of wool raised in Texas, Tennessee, and other States; 
they have besides any amount of cotton, and liave 
some factories. If each family was to make two 
suits it would supply tlie army. Texas can supply 
the whole South with hides. Other States also fur- 
nish hides which they can put into some kind of 
leather. They get shoes and boots from England. 
Already large quantities of clothing have been cap- 
tured from our armies. 

It has been said, likewise, that the South are 
not united. I assert that they are more united 
than the North. It is true a Union sentiment pre- 
vails in places, but this is a trifle compared with 
the entire population. They were not of one mind 
at the beginning of the rebellion, but circumstances 
have united them. It has been hoped that the peo- 
ple of the South would get tired of the war, and 
desert the cause as a hopeless one. They are now 
tired of the war, but still think they will succeed; 
and they will not desist from their efforts while 
there is any hope. 

The resources of the South have been under- 
rated. This has been fully proven by the past. 
We should study the true condition of affairs, and 
not deceive ourselves. We should ascertain what 



168 THE PATRIOTS AND GUERILLAS OF 

we have to do in order to crush the rebellion, and 
then use such means as are necessary to do it. The 
enemy is strong and active, and exerting every 
energy. He has a large army of well-disciplined 
troops, commanded by able generals. But they 
must be conquered. We must unite, and put forth 
all our energies. The best generals should be placed 
in the field, who should be active, and strike heavy 
blows, and continue blow after blow. We must 
strike for their capital, and at all their lines, and 
then for the heart of their dominions. The Federal 
Government must be saved. It is the best ever 
organized by man. We are engaged in a struggle 
between Liberty and Slavery : we must not let the 
banner of Liberty fall. It is a struggle between 
Constitutional Liberty and Tyranny. In the name 
of all that IS sacred, keep the banner of Liberty 
waving. The friends of Freedom in all parts of the 
world are looking with the deepest interest upon 
this struggle. We must not let their hopes sink 
with our banner. Let us keep it waving — Consti- 
tutional Liberty and the Star-Spangled Banner 
forever ! 



BAST TENNESSEE AND KENTTCKY. 169 



CONCLUSION. 

Crime and corruption exist to a very great 
degree. Ignorance is the parent of crime, miseiy, 
and slavery. The human race must become 
enlightened before these cease to exist. The 
amelioration of the human race will be gradual. 
Negro slavery or any other kind of slavery is an 
evil — a curse. Despotisms, and all governments 
not founded upon the consent of the governed, are 
evils. All evils will finally be removed—all man- 
kind will be free. The people^ of the United States 
were blessed with the best government ever organ- 
ized by man. They were enjoying Constitutional 
Liberty to a greater extent than any other people; 
they were making more rapid progress in civiliza- 
tion than any people; they had imperfections; and 
they would have finally surmounted all evils and 
imperfections without a sudden revolution of great 
magnitude, except for one evil — negro slavery 
Will not the war cease till slavery (the cause) be 
removed ? Yes. The struggle between freedom 
and slavery w^ill continue; it will be with mind, 
and not physical force. Will the war end slavery 
in the Southern States ? It may end tlie present 
8 



170 THE PATIilOTS AJN^D GUERILLAS OF 

system. The negroes belong to an inferior race; 
they will continue to be dependent beings for a 
considerable time ; they will look to superior 
minds for help. In addition to their natural in- 
feriority, the system of slavery to which they have 
been reduced blunts all the better leeliiiofs of the 
mind. It is debasing. All intellectual food is 
withheld from the mind. 

Physical force may become necessary. It is 
necessary to defend a good and republican govern* 
ment against those who would destroy it. Where 
it can be, let mind appeal to mind. AYe are in the 
midst of a revolution. It is a struggle to maintain 
the principles of freedom. 

I have said that slavery was the cause of the 
rebellion. How was this ? The Southern people 
hold that slavery is of divine origin, therefore not 
prohibited by Christianity — that it is a political 
and civil blessing. The Northern people hold 
that slavery is unchristian — a moral, political, 
and social evil — that it is a relic of barbarism. 
Here is a war of ideas — an "irrepressible con- 
flict." There was no necessity for phyoical force. 
The radicals of the North presented the question 
in an offensive manner. The Southern leaders 
hoped to check a moral revolution which will ulti^ 
mately liberate those in bondage. 

War has been forced upon the American peo- 
ple. The Government must be sustained, — 

Because it is a good Government. 

Because it is a republican Government. 



EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKT. 171 

Because tliose in rebellion against it had no 
cause fur the act. 

Because the oppressed of all nations are look- 
ing to the American people to sustain the princi- 
ples of repuhlicanism. 

Because if the Government is sustained, it will 
be a triumph of civilization and intelligence over 
ignorance and crime. 

Because the success of the Government will be 
a triumph of Liberty. 

Truth and Freedom will ultimately triumph I 



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